The Failure of the United Kingdom

Severe recessions have occurred throughout the years (1930’s, 80’s and 90’s). These economic downturns resulted in substantial unemployment rates.  The recessions also impacted other countries around the world, but the fact that the United Kingdom never fully recovered from the initial recession, while other countries did, has resulted in the major decline of the standard of living over the century. I ranked this first because their inability to recover from economic crisis is what is keeping the UK at such a low standard of living, without money there is know power.

The loss of colonies caused multiple issues for the UK.  The colonies of the UK allowed for more space, income, resources, etc.  The loss of these colonies also gives the impression that the government is losing its influence, and power in the world.  The United Kingdom also invested in these colonies to help them industrialize, therefore, to the UK’s government; this would appear to be a waste of time and money.  This was ranked second on the scale because this loss is most likely a contributor to the recessions, and result in decreased opprotunities for the population.

The United Kingdom’s major role in both, World War I and World War II caused significant problems.  Although the wars provided ample amount of employment the negative consequences were much greater.  The expenses of war only cause the UK’s economy to decline further preceding the war, as well as the loss men’s lives dwindled the standard of living for the families they left behind.  WWI and WWII also demonstrated to the world other countries such as the United States were much more powerful and innovative than the UK.  I ranked this as the third factor because the consequences of these wars were long lasting, and contributed to multiple other factors such as recession and international relations, but these wars also provided job opprotunities and helped in the women’s movement by allowing them to work.

The United Kingdom borrowed money from former colonies such as the US to assist in their economic situation after WWII, and only just paid them back in 2006.  The lending and borrowing of money occurs in multiple countries, however this loan was a representation of the UK bending the knee to their former colony the US.  I rated this fourth because as said previously whoever has the money, has the power.   This event only reinforced the US’s power in the world, and confirmed the declining status of the UK.