The South Koreans are better educated than the English. The Swedish are happier. The Germans are more compassionate. The Azerbaijanis are more literate. Brunei has cleaner air. Latvia has faster broadband. Everywhere has a better climate. And yet for some astonishing reason you still act as if you matter. Why is that, do you suppose? Ah, yes, empire. You lost yours over a century ago. The Americans are only just losing theirs and that's not going down so well, either.
The quote reflects a critical viewpoint on national pride and identity, suggesting that various countries excel in different areas compared to England. It highlights South Korea's superior education, Sweden's happiness, Germany's compassion, and other nations' achievements in literacy, air quality, and technology. This list serves to challenge the perception that England, and by extension, the historical British Empire, retains its significance on a global scale.
The author implies that despite these comparative shortcomings, England continues to act with an inflated sense of importance, possibly due to its imperial past. This raises questions about nationalism and why some countries struggle to relinquish their historical self-importance, while others adapt and thrive in the modern world. The mention of the American experience suggests a parallel process of coming to terms with declining influence, which adds depth to the discussion of historical legacies in national identity.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
