by John Brian Shannon | July 29, 2016
Britain survived the 20th century despite two British-economy-wrecking wars (WWI and WWII) and the follow-up to those wars, the Cold War.
But imagine all that Britain could’ve become by now if it wasn’t required to wage World War I, World War II, and the Cold War in the first half of the 20th century. Great Britain would’ve been equal in economic and military power with the United States, and humanity would have completely missed two hot wars and one cold war.
The Anglosphere would’ve held dominion over the Earth — and let’s hope they would’ve had enlightened and moderate leaders.
There would’ve been no need for some of the overcompensating behaviors we witnessed in the 20th century.
The excesses thrust upon the world by continental Europeans in the 20th century are 100% responsible for the creation of two classes of overcompensators; The neocons and the terrorists — both of whom are engaged in a non-virtuous and negative relationship that could still destroy all life on the planet.
That is a scenario of if not when, unless we can completely overcome the three speedbumps in our civilizational development, recover, and get back on track — the track we were originally on until continental Europe changed history three times for the worse.
It could still be the end of us all. But only if we let them.
Not that I wish the continental Europeans one second of harm, it’s just that they’ve wreaked enough havoc. In fact, ‘I wish you the best, and have a beautiful day!’
It’s time to put Britain back together — and in tandem with a politically-moderate United States (and without prejudice to any other country or bloc) to recreate the Anglosphere as it was intended to be prior to the change in the world order made by 20th-century Europeans.
The time of war followed by plenty of overcompensating must now be over, or humanity won’t survive it.
Any nation that wishes to join the Anglosphere need only pass legislation that English is one of their official languages and have a politically-moderate foreign policy, then I would consider them eligible to join The Commonwealth of Nations, which is the umbrella organization of Anglosphere nations.
In that way, I would hope to (eventually) win over every nation. Yes, every one.
No more war. Peace and prosperity. Peace, Order, and Good Government.
That was the path that Great Britain, the United States, and other Anglo nations were on before three wars were thrown at us by continental Europe. (WWI, WWII and the Cold War)
As bad as those wars were, the two overcompensating responses (the neocons and the terrorists) may yet turn out to be even worse. Those two groups may ultimately spell the end of humankind.
And that’s what I’m trying to prevent.
In North America, we say; “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well, the continental Europeans of the previous century broke the working model.
Now we need to get it back.
Letter to Britain 
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I wasn’t sure where to put this comment, but this will do…..
UK/USA trade will have a brilliant/fruitful future.
Yes, I’m aware of Obama’s appalling behavior regarding Brexit. The “back of the queue” comment. Rude!
I came across a thread, http://www.city-data.com, about BFF (“Best Friends Forever”) relationships between countries. Is there a country that your country can rely on during difficult times?
The thread was started by a fellow in Finland. An example he offered is a BFF relationship between Sweden and Finland. Other examples mentioned were Poland/Hungary, Brazil/Argentina, and so on.
As an American watching from without, it seems to me that Britain is now in a rather awkward and difficult position. How can the British economy be saved, let alone be revitalized? In the meantime, I’m aware that the EU may try to make an example of Britain, to discourage other countries from departing.
Hi Tim,
I agree with so many of your points.
Let’s hope that PM Theresa May sees the value of pursuing bilateral trade agreements with many nations, especially those developing nations with large populations (consumers!) like India and China, and the other BRICS nations.
Britain, with the 5th largest economy in the world, has much to offer those nations — and the reverse is true as well.
Thank you for your comment!
Best regards, JBS
Hello,
I find the term ‘Anglosphere’ very off-putting and somewhat discriminatory. It sounds akin to other supremist ideas. Britain is a great European country, but so is Spain; France; Denmark; Germany…and so on….Moreover, the citizenry in these other nations often speak English as well as you do, in addition to their own tongue. Requiring them to make English one of their official Languages so they can join some elite English-speaking club is pushing the envelope too far. Britain has its past and it will have a future. They may well not resemble each other.
Although, Britain and the US both use English, their cultures, populations and legal frameworks are not the same. You cannot make the assumption that the using of a variety of the same language has any real meaning in terms of affinity. And what of those who don’t want to join? Are they to be dominated? Where are you going with this idea? And of what use is it?
Hi Robert and thank you for your comment.
Just to remind you that I, personally, did not invent the term ‘Anglosphere’ it has been in the English lexicon for some time now. And it is a term that is widely used, without prejudice.
Here is the Dictionary.com definition of Anglosphere:
Anglosphere
/ˈæŋɡləʊˌsfɪə/
noun
1. a group of English-speaking countries that share common roots in British culture and history, usually the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/anglosphere
Nowhere in there do I see anything that is “very off-putting and somewhat discriminatory. It sounds akin to other supremist ideas.” [Supremacist-Ed.]
Maybe you’re seeing something that the rest of us aren’t?
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on La Francophonie, which is the organization devoted to supporting and promoting French-speaking countries that share common roots in French culture and history.
(Much as the umbrella organization of the English-speaking countries is The Commonwealth of Nations officially, and the Anglosphere, colloquially.)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
“The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), generally known as the Francophonie (French: La Francophonie [la fʁɑ̃kɔfɔni]) but also called International Organisation of La Francophonie in English language context, is an international organization representing countries and regions where French is the first (“mother”) or customary language, where a significant proportion of the population are francophones (French speakers) or where there is a notable affiliation with French culture.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisation_internationale_de_la_Francophonie
In there, do you see anything “very off-putting and somewhat discriminatory [or] akin to other supremist ideas.” [Supremacist-Ed.]
I don’t see that.
Not only are there organizations devoted to supporting the traditionally English-speaking nations and peoples, but also (as noted above) La Francophonie for French-speakers, and other organizations devoted to supporting traditionally German-speaking nations.
I wish (and there probably are) organizations devoted to supporting (insert any language and culture) for the purposes of promoting and supporting the language and culture of each nation or region. (Our differences make us better!) The more of that sort of thing, the better, in my opinion.
As for your closing questions: “And what of those who don’t want to join? Are they to be dominated? Where are you going with this idea? And of what use is it?”
I: Only those nations that wish to join, will apply to The Commonwealth of Nations.
II: There is no plan to dominate anyone.
III: As the Asian economic ‘tigers’ (China and India) and the other BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, South Africa) ramp-up their economic clout and harmonize their policy stances, it seems appropriate that ‘The West’ should do likewise. Not to the detriment of those (very important to the global economy) rising economic powers, but only to protect what we have built. SIZE, matters. Economic clout, matters. The West is slowly losing comparative economic power and momentum, and by uniting the Anglosphere (my goal) and by uniting La Francophonie (the goal that others have chosen to pursue — and good on them!) I hope to not only protect what we have built, but also to keep The West relevant in global affairs for more decades than otherwise would be the case.
IV: Via voluntary harmonization of our Western socio-economic systems, I hope to keep The West relevant in a burgeoning and dynamic global economy.
Thank you again for your comment! Please stay tuned — as your fascinating questions will no doubt, be addressed in general terms here at Letter To Britain.
Very best regards, JBS
Some additional links for you and others interested in The Commonwealth and La Francophonie:
http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/
http://www.francophonie.org/Welcome-to-the-International.html
Hello JBS,
Thank you for your thoughtful and considered reply.
It is the use of the word ‘sphere’ in the compound that bothers me as it as it seems to imply an English-speaking globe, and with that domination. You are talking about the joining of English speaking people so they can work together for economic power. That has been going on for quite some time.
Consider the Commonwealth,and colonialism before that.
Britain has just voted to leave the EU, but the EU, largely, speaks its language. There’s a fine example of how a common language does not unity make. Perhaps the ‘anglosphere’ union would just be for native speakers?
I am aware of La Francophonie. French is no longer a dominant world language although it is widely spoken – even by myself. Hence, not really the same thing. It isn’t called the ‘Francosphere’ for a reason, perhaps?
I thinks the concept of the ‘Anglosphere’ is a silly idea, and would seem exclusive and threatening to outsiders. Not the world I would want to live in. Inclusiveness is where we need to go. But then, it is only my opinion.
Best Regards
Rob
Hi Robert,
Thank you for discussing your concerns with us here at Letter to Britain!
I realize that many people in Europe speak at least one language (and in many cases, several languages) it’s one of the things that helps to make Europe so cosmopolitan. It’s citizens seem to have a wider worldview, generally, and I credit multiple languages as one of the reasons for that.
However, while many people in Europe speak English, none of the continental European nations have formally applied to become part of the Commonwealth of Nations. (I’m hoping this will change over time)
I feel that any nation that holds a referendum (or is supported by the people in any legally accepted election framework) to join the Commonwealth and has legislated English as an official language (in addition to any other official languages) should be eligible to join The Commonwealth.
There can be no limits on such a thing, and some nations might want to be members of both The Commonwealth and La Francophonie, for just one example. If eventually, all of Europe and more countries from all other continents joined The Commonwealth, it would become just one more thing that links us all together. And that is a very good thing, IMO.
I realize that La Francophonie isn’t called ‘the Francosphere’ — but is that perhaps that it doesn’t translate exactly, or is it because they wanted to distinguish it from ‘the Anglosphere’ I wonder?
In your first paragraph, you said: “You are talking about the joining of English speaking people so they can work together for economic power. That has been going on for quite some time. Consider the Commonwealth,and colonialism before that.”
As you’ve stated, it’s true, it has been going on for some time. Nations that have existing links to Britain joined The Commonwealth and they work together for mutual benefit on many levels. I see that as a good thing, not a silly idea.
But I see that I still have some convincing to do, and I sincerely thank you for framing the questions that I must answer over the coming years, here at Letter to Britain.
In the meantime, please consider joining us…
Imagine (official video) by John Lennon https://youtu.be/3wsYM1GgQLU
Best regards, JBS
Was considering the comments by Robert C…..
There is certainly sufficient commonality between the UK and USA for trade.
Hi Tim,
Yes, very true.
Even though the Asian tiger economies are moving rapidly forward, the U.S. is still the largest economy in the world as measured by GDP, and will remain so for some time.
I hope that the UK and the U.S. dramatically ramp-up trade to the mutual benefit of both countries.
Best regards, JBS
A web site discussed a concept….a campaign to encourage people in the UK to buy products “Made In Britain”.
An American posted a comment that he will look for products with a “Made In Britain” label.
The British won’t be isolated and friendless when Brexit is completed.
Hi Tim,
It is always a great thing to reinvigorate an economy by appealing to people’s patriotism, although products and services from other countries are still welcome, and indeed, necessary.
Products, should be clearly marked so that consumers can always choose to vote with their pocketbook.
Thank you again for your comment.
Best regards, JBS