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BooScout

(10,406 posts)
Mon Aug 12, 2019, 07:07 AM Aug 2019

Britain's Contradictory Brexit Myths

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/08/imperial-myths-behind-brexit/595813/

The country alternately believes it has been a towering empire and a plucky underdog, narratives that distract from real issues in its decision-making process.

For more than three years, the world has watched Britain attempt to act on the result of its 2016 referendum and leave the European Union. Yet while the causes of the Brexit vote were complex, the causes of the catastrophic handling of the Brexit process might be familiar to anyone versed in imperial and postimperial history.

They stem from a belief in British exceptionalism: the idea that Britain is inherently different from, and superior to, other nations and empires.

(More) https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/08/imperial-myths-behind-brexit/595813/
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Britain's Contradictory Brexit Myths (Original Post) BooScout Aug 2019 OP
Fintan O'toole has been good on this too sharedvalues Aug 2019 #1
I think Bannon zentrum Aug 2019 #2
More than behind the scenes sharedvalues Aug 2019 #3
A similar commentary could be written about "American exceptionalism"... Wounded Bear Aug 2019 #4
Indeed. BooScout Aug 2019 #8
Exceptionalism, right-wing dogma and mass denial.....a very toxic brew. KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2019 #5
Has anyone watched the HBO series Years and Years? yaesu Aug 2019 #6
Yes, I've been watching it. luvtheGWN Aug 2019 #7
one would think that their bankruptcy after WW2 would have put the Javaman Aug 2019 #9

sharedvalues

(6,916 posts)
1. Fintan O'toole has been good on this too
Mon Aug 12, 2019, 08:00 AM
Aug 2019

In addition, note that love for Brexit based on British exceptionalism isn’t totally organic. It was amplified by UK billionaire-controlled rightwing media and by money from Russia into Leave.uk and others.

zentrum

(9,865 posts)
2. I think Bannon
Mon Aug 12, 2019, 08:28 AM
Aug 2019

...is also a behind scenes adviser on Brexit. As he is for other right wing movements in Europe.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
5. Exceptionalism, right-wing dogma and mass denial.....a very toxic brew.
Mon Aug 12, 2019, 08:57 AM
Aug 2019

Many people will suffer.........

Good article. Thanks, BooScout.

luvtheGWN

(1,336 posts)
7. Yes, I've been watching it.
Mon Aug 12, 2019, 09:56 AM
Aug 2019

I think the producers consider it a strong warning. No coincidence in the timing of it.

Javaman

(62,439 posts)
9. one would think that their bankruptcy after WW2 would have put the
Mon Aug 12, 2019, 12:22 PM
Aug 2019

kibosh on any further ideas of being so special. couple that with the parade of colonies they have lost...but you know, exceptionalism! LOL

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