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==Yes==
==Yes==
In terms of being a world power-broker yes, Britain has declined. Entering the 20th century the British Empire was the largest power in the world with an empire reaching across the globe. The first half of the century saw Britain's lack of real miltary strength exposed, being unable to overcome Germany and the Ottoman Empire in WWI, the Irish War of Independance in the early 20's and the Second World War which was won through the endevours of the US and the USSR. The Statute of Westminster of 1931 saw Britain effectively give up its place at the head of the Empire, becoming equal with other members of the Commonwealth.
Economicaly speaking, Britain has been in decline ,in my opinion, since 1973. Obviously the 70's saw the end of a "Golden Age" of Western Europe (which had been kickstarted by Marshall Aid and cheap energy from Arabian Oil) and Britain was not immune. While the 1980's and 90's saw recovery, this recovery was built on debt, both public and private. While Thatcher did bring about much needed economic reform, she also went a long way toward creating the "credit culture" we see in the UK today. All of a sudden debt was o.k. and now we are reeping the consequences.
Britain is also far more susceptible to the global market than it was up until the 1980's. Most good sold in Britain are produced abroad and there is very little primary production compared to rates around the middle part of the last century.
Britain is probably the third most important nation in Europe, but it now lags a long way behing France and Germany in my estimation. [[Pukeynut]]
==FUNNY FUNNY TRUTH==
==FUNNY FUNNY TRUTH==