For decades the rap, as administered by good Western liberals, had an eerie sameness: Imperialists bad; freedom fighters, good. Out of there, you smug, gold-laced Churchillian types with your topees and your gin and tonics. Out of India! Out of Africa! Out! Out!

Nor did American liberals alone make up the chorus. Plenty of Brits declaimed against their overseas fiefdoms. Worn-down Frenchmen and Dutchmen called for withdrawal from the plains and jungles of empire. Empire, as we'd say no ...

( Back to Article )