Mark Sykes exemplified another characteristic common among the British ruling class of the Edwardian age, a breezy arrogance that held that most of the world's messy problems were capable of neat solution, that the British had the answers to many of them, and that it was their special burden-no less tiresome for being God-given-to enlighten the rest of humanity to that fact.
Mark Sykes is portrayed as a representation of the British elite's typical attitude during the Edwardian era. His demeanor reflects a confident, almost dismissive belief that complex global issues could be simplified into straightforward solutions. This perspective suggests that the British elite perceived themselves as uniquely qualified to tackle these challenges, believing they possessed the necessary knowledge and authority to address the problems of other nations.
Furthermore, Sykes and his contemporaries embraced a sense of moral obligation, viewing their efforts to guide and enlighten other cultures as a divine mandate. This mindset, however, had its drawbacks, as it often led to a lack of empathy and understanding for the complexities of the societies they sought to influence. The British ruling class's conviction that they were destined to lead the world has had lasting implications, particularly in the shaping of the modern Middle East.
