Niall Ferguson's book, "Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World," argues that Britain's imperial presence was crucial for its global significance. Without this empire, he suggests, the nation would diminish into a minor entity, emphasizing that the loss of colonial status could lead to a stark, diminished existence. This perspective highlights the interdependence between the empire and Britain's historical prominence.

Ferguson's quote about a post-imperial Britain paints a vivid picture of a country stripped of its global influence, where life could regress to one of hardship and simplicity. By suggesting that the British would have to rely on basic sustenance like herring and potatoes, he underscores the potential decline in societal and economic stature following the end of the empire.