COLUMN. To win the cultural and intellectual battle, Europe must staunchly defend its model, writes the economist in his column, dismantling the narrative of a 'declining' continent.
That’s really not true and you should know it. Portugal and Spain are two of the main colonial powers in European history and they were both shit poor in the 70’s. Portugal more than Spain PRECISELY because it still had colonies, that were costing it blood and money for centuries by then.
I’m not victimizing Portugal, just reminding you, and anyone else who might need to learn this, that colonization was profitable only for short periods into few pockets. Portugal had 3rd world child mortality and alphabetization rates right before joining the EU. Joining an open trade area was the secret to change that.
Also, another important reminder, most EU member states never had colonies.
Don’t forget Britain too. They’re not as poor as Spain and Portugal by a long shot but because they had colonies, their manufacturing didn’t need to be competitive, and when the Germans developed industry, the British couldn’t compete. Still can’t.
That’s not to excuse colonial behaviours but to say that Europe is strong because of it is a misstatement.
Colonies filled some pockets but for the states, most of the time they were a money drain. Especially when effective colonization (as in taking control of vast territories and “civilize” the people) took place. The real profitable moments were mostly due to trade/piracy, and not territorial control, which is very expensive.
That’s really not true and you should know it. Portugal and Spain are two of the main colonial powers in European history and they were both shit poor in the 70’s. Portugal more than Spain PRECISELY because it still had colonies, that were costing it blood and money for centuries by then.
I’m not victimizing Portugal, just reminding you, and anyone else who might need to learn this, that colonization was profitable only for short periods into few pockets. Portugal had 3rd world child mortality and alphabetization rates right before joining the EU. Joining an open trade area was the secret to change that.
Also, another important reminder, most EU member states never had colonies.
Don’t forget Britain too. They’re not as poor as Spain and Portugal by a long shot but because they had colonies, their manufacturing didn’t need to be competitive, and when the Germans developed industry, the British couldn’t compete. Still can’t.
That’s not to excuse colonial behaviours but to say that Europe is strong because of it is a misstatement.
Colonies filled some pockets but for the states, most of the time they were a money drain. Especially when effective colonization (as in taking control of vast territories and “civilize” the people) took place. The real profitable moments were mostly due to trade/piracy, and not territorial control, which is very expensive.