Rule Britannia: Brexit and the End of Empire

Rule Britannia examines Brexit through the lens of Britain's imperial past and its lasting influence on national identity. The authors analyze how nostalgia for empire and exceptionalism shaped the 2016 referendum outcome. The book traces key historical events from the peak of British colonial power through post-war decline and EU membership. It draws connections between educational policies, immigration debates, and economic shifts that culminated in the Brexit vote. Dorling and Tomlinson investigate Britain's relationship with Europe and document how politicians and media outlets framed EU membership over decades. The authors incorporate statistical data and archival research to support their historical analysis. The work presents a critical perspective on how nations process the loss of global influence and power, while exploring the intersection of nationalism, identity, and democracy in modern Britain. Its arguments about imperial legacies carry implications for other post-colonial powers navigating their place in a multipolar world.

Readers note this book offers a historical analysis connecting Brexit to Britain's imperial past, though many found the arguments repetitive. Positives: - Clear data presentation and statistical evidence - Strong examination of education system's role - Detailed historical context from 1950s onward - Accessible writing style for complex topics Negatives: - Multiple reviewers cite excessive repetition of main points - Some felt conclusions were oversimplified - Limited discussion of alternative Brexit interpretations - Several note anti-Brexit bias affects objectivity Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (46 ratings) Amazon UK: 3.9/5 (31 ratings) Notable Reader Comments: "Excellent data but hammers the same point repeatedly" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong on history, weak on current analysis" - Amazon UK reviewer "Too focused on empire narrative, misses other Brexit factors" - Goodreads reviewer "Statistics and educational analysis are the book's strength" - Amazon UK reviewer

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The Brexit Crisis: A Verso Report by Various Authors A collection of essays analyzing Brexit's roots in Britain's economic inequality, imperial nostalgia, and changing position in global politics.

English Nationalism: A Short History by Jeremy Black A historical analysis tracing the development of English nationalism from its medieval origins through Brexit and contemporary British politics.

The Road to Somewhere: The Populist Revolt and the Future of Politics by David Goodhart An analysis of the social divisions in British society that contributed to Brexit, focusing on class, education, and geography.

🔷 The book draws parallels between Britain's imperial past and the Brexit vote, arguing that lingering colonial attitudes influenced the decision to leave the EU. 🔷 Danny Dorling is a professor of Geography at Oxford University and has authored or co-authored more than 25 books on issues related to social inequalities. 🔷 The authors reveal that during the Brexit campaign, 59% of those who identified as "very strongly British" voted to leave the EU, while only 38% of those who identified as "very strongly European" did. 🔷 The book explains how Britain's education system historically prepared different classes for different roles - elite schools for imperial leadership and basic schooling for working classes - a divide that still influences social mobility today. 🔷 Published in 2019, the book shows how the UK was already experiencing the lowest life expectancy increases in Europe before Brexit, ranking among the most economically unequal countries in the developed world.