Political Crossfire Forums

[Timur The Lame]

I’m not going to make this a poll because I’m lazy, but state which empire in the history of the world was the greatest.

I would go with the Ottomans, the Tang, and Rome.

Feel free to refute my chosen

[thundertaker]

British, obviously. The spread of liberty and democracy is a direct result of the British Empire....

[Timur The Lame]

thundertaker wrote: British, obviously. The spread of liberty and democracy is a direct result of the British Empire....

:lol:

For white people.

[foadi]

thundertaker wrote: British, obviously.
Agreed.

[thundertaker]

Timur The Lame wrote: thundertaker wrote: British, obviously. The spread of liberty and democracy is a direct result of the British Empire....

:lol:

For white people.

*Cough*worldslargestdemocracy*cough....

[foadi]

thundertaker wrote: Timur The Lame wrote: thundertaker wrote: British, obviously. The spread of liberty and democracy is a direct result of the British Empire....

:lol:

For white people.

*Cough*worldslargestdemocracy*cough....
What a horrible example of British imperialism. If you're going to brag about it, at least bring up a success story, liek Hong Kong or something. Simply creating a democracy is nothing to brag about, especially when the people elect socialists who destroy the economy.

[LostSoul3412]

The greatest empire? No contest...

The United States, post-WWII.

We has the bomb, no one else did.

We controlled the world.

(Didn't say it was good... I just said it was)

[Revenant]

Greatist Empires

The Great Empire of "Spelchek"








Ah just kidding, welcome to PCF.

[Timur The Lame]

thundertaker wrote: Timur The Lame wrote: thundertaker wrote: British, obviously. The spread of liberty and democracy is a direct result of the British Empire....

:lol:

For white people.

*Cough*worldslargestdemocracy*cough....
*Cough* bulls**t post WW1 mandates are what led to this mess in the middleast*Cough*

Also, you’re just kinda wrong when it comes to calling the British “the largest democracy in the world” as it was an empire who ignored the interests of the indigenous peoples (who could not vote) and their white colonists (for the most part, the oligarches and state sanctioned monopolies sure had their interests guarded though) and who could also not vote.

The Tang and Romans beat them out when it comes to cultural influence in the region, the Ottomans beat them out for longevity and, from the early 13th to the late 16th, militarily.

The only real conceivable reason to exult the British is the diversity of their holdings, but they were far from enlightened, and to act like they were is a disservice to all that suffered under them.

[Kuk]

Hmm...
How do you estimate "greatness"?
What's the main criterion: size, militar power, cultural influence, wealth, any other...? :think:

[Timur The Lame]

Kuk wrote: Hmm...
How do you estimate "greatness"?
What's the main criterion: size, militar power, cultural influence, wealth, any other...? :think:

I generally go with those that have the most cultural influence while at the same time maintaining a fair amount of hard power in their given region (or more), while also being cool.

[DSwain]

Timur The Lame wrote: thundertaker wrote: Timur The Lame wrote: thundertaker wrote: British, obviously. The spread of liberty and democracy is a direct result of the British Empire....

:lol:

For white people.

*Cough*worldslargestdemocracy*cough....
*Cough* bulls**t post WW1 mandates are what led to this mess in the middleast*Cough*

Also, you’re just kinda wrong when it comes to calling the British “the largest democracy in the world” as it was an empire who ignored the interests of the indigenous peoples (who could not vote) and their white colonists (for the most part, the oligarches and state sanctioned monopolies sure had their interests guarded though) and who could also not vote.

The Tang and Romans beat them out when it comes to cultural influence in the region, the Ottomans beat them out for longevity and, from the early 13th to the late 16th, militarily.

The only real conceivable reason to exult the British is the diversity of their holdings, but they were far from enlightened, and to act like they were is a disservice to all that suffered under them.

The League of Nations Mandate in Palestine is more an example of a British administration holding the line with British money and British lives to try to secure a fair and equitable outcome. We weren't able to square the circle in Palestine and I wish we had.

The largest democracy in the world today is India; the most successful democracy in the world today is the United States. Both former British possessions.

The interests of indigenous peoples were not ignored; granted, they might not have always been well dealt with particularly effectively or sympathetically. But if we'd been the iron-booted Brits of folklore, could the Empire have survived for how long it did? How did the British control such a large empire? It wasn't through force of arms - Britain never had sufficient military manpower to control 1/4 of the world's surface and 1/5 of its population. It was because the British did listen and did try to respond to local conditions and local wishes. This is why the withdrawal from Empire was relatively strife free, unlike the French, the Dutch and the Portuguese; because WE LISTENED and we left when we were asked to.

Was the British Empire enlightened? Not essentially, but then the era of European empires was not one of enlightenment. Did some indigenous people suffer under the British Empire? Absolutely. Did some of them benefit under the Empire? Undoubtedly.

The modern world is a product of the British Empire - some of us might see that as the greatest reason to pillory that Empire! I would not, however. Models of commerce and industry were born in the Empire. The great migrations of the British Empire have shaped the nations and the continents of the world today. And yes, the spread of democracy is a result of, among other things, the British Empire.

[Gaius]

Greatest Empire? The potential answer here is simply too long, detailed and complicated to do it any justice over an internet forum.

First of all we have to mention the beginning of civilisation itself - in Mesopatamia. Fair enough, no real empires emerged from these city-states for a while but argubaly the 'big three' inventions by humanity (AKA farming, writing and the wheel) emerged from this area.

In terms of spiritual development then probably the Kingdom of Israel from which the three main monotheistic traditions emerged.

In terms of culture then it has to be the Greek states and the Romans. Both these sets of empires made the white man what he is today (In short, top dog) Of course, Ancient China, medieval Japan, and even the Mongols have played huge roles in the shaping of the modern world.

Well the Enlightenment had its origins in the French Empire, but the Brits brought us the Industrial revolution - which paved the way for later developments by humanity such as the Welfare State etc.

I don't think we ever hope to name just one Empire, 'The Greatest Empire'

[The Comrade]

this is cliche but i would have to say rome. essentially they controlled the known world. they had a powerful military, powerful trade, and support of the people(for the most part). the empire did fall due to it's own hubrus and hedonism(as many of the helenistic empires did) but it left such a strong legacy that i believe it's the greatest.

[.locke.]

militarily, the Mongols.

[Timur The Lame]

DSwain wrote:


The League of Nations Mandate in Palestine is more an example of a British administration holding the line with British money and British lives to try to secure a fair and equitable outcome. We weren't able to square the circle in Palestine and I wish we had.

The largest democracy in the world today is India; the most successful democracy in the world today is the United States. Both former British possessions.

The interests of indigenous peoples were not ignored; granted, they might not have always been well dealt with particularly effectively or sympathetically. But if we'd been the iron-booted Brits of folklore, could the Empire have survived for how long it did? How did the British control such a large empire? It wasn't through force of arms - Britain never had sufficient military manpower to control 1/4 of the world's surface and 1/5 of its population. It was because the British did listen and did try to respond to local conditions and local wishes. This is why the withdrawal from Empire was relatively strife free, unlike the French, the Dutch and the Portuguese; because WE LISTENED and we left when we were asked to.

Was the British Empire enlightened? Not essentially, but then the era of European empires was not one of enlightenment. Did some indigenous people suffer under the British Empire? Absolutely. Did some of them benefit under the Empire? Undoubtedly.

The modern world is a product of the British Empire - some of us might see that as the greatest reason to pillory that Empire! I would not, however. Models of commerce and industry were born in the Empire. The great migrations of the British Empire have shaped the nations and the continents of the world today. And yes, the spread of democracy is a result of, among other things, the British Empire.


Can you say white man's burden? :roll:

[superskippy]

The Roman Empire. It stood the test of time at the height of power for thousands of years with rare internal strife. It is the foundation of the Western World, and the measuring stick for all the empires that came after it.

[eynon]

Timur The Lame wrote: DSwain wrote:


The League of Nations Mandate in Palestine is more an example of a British administration holding the line with British money and British lives to try to secure a fair and equitable outcome. We weren't able to square the circle in Palestine and I wish we had.

The largest democracy in the world today is India; the most successful democracy in the world today is the United States. Both former British possessions.

The interests of indigenous peoples were not ignored; granted, they might not have always been well dealt with particularly effectively or sympathetically. But if we'd been the iron-booted Brits of folklore, could the Empire have survived for how long it did? How did the British control such a large empire? It wasn't through force of arms - Britain never had sufficient military manpower to control 1/4 of the world's surface and 1/5 of its population. It was because the British did listen and did try to respond to local conditions and local wishes. This is why the withdrawal from Empire was relatively strife free, unlike the French, the Dutch and the Portuguese; because WE LISTENED and we left when we were asked to.

Was the British Empire enlightened? Not essentially, but then the era of European empires was not one of enlightenment. Did some indigenous people suffer under the British Empire? Absolutely. Did some of them benefit under the Empire? Undoubtedly.

The modern world is a product of the British Empire - some of us might see that as the greatest reason to pillory that Empire! I would not, however. Models of commerce and industry were born in the Empire. The great migrations of the British Empire have shaped the nations and the continents of the world today. And yes, the spread of democracy is a result of, among other things, the British Empire.


Can you say white man's burden? :roll:

he's right though....the British was the world's first great liberal Empire.....

[locke862]

I agree with the Roman Empire. They had most of the world, all of the technology, the military, and the economy. When a dee-dee-dee became a leader everything started on a downfall. That's what happens with a monarchy/dictatorship.

[Spider]

I'd also have to say British. I believe at one point they held about 1/4 of the worlds total land area and about the same proportion of the worlds population.

Their influence is also seen throughout the world today..at least as much if not more so than the Romans...

As for America post WW2... american imperialism was pretty much over with at this stage...and please, before you refute me on this, look up the word imperialism.