tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post6859104601496836109..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: Circular argumentsJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-7364962671306207442017-10-04T17:15:42.517+01:002017-10-04T17:15:42.517+01:00The origins of the term 'Great Britain' ar...The origins of the term 'Great Britain' are of course geographical - simply a way of referring to the biggest island of this little archipelago - and nothing to do with any perceived 'greatness' of spirit or achievement, although it would be hard to conclude that from the way in which the term is most commonly used. But there's nothing wrong in feeling good about your chosen national identity - nor even in feeling 'great' about it, as long is great is merely a stronger form of 'good'. Feeling comfortable and relaxed with what we perceive ourselves to be is surely a good thing in itself. The problem arises when nationalists - and this is a particular problem with British nationalists - start to see 'great' as being a term of comparison with other nations; to believe that their chosen identity is in any way better or greater than any other; or to insist that others conform to their perception.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-35264504423524430692017-10-04T10:00:49.017+01:002017-10-04T10:00:49.017+01:00I rather like thinking Great Britain is still grea...I rather like thinking Great Britain is still great, be it in terms of nuclear power, intellectual clout, democracy, the language or whatever. Perhaps that's why I so enjoyed the speech Boris made yesterday, despite me being a REMAIN'er.<br /><br />Just makes me feel so much better about myself.<br /><br />kp<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-56525441900771077612017-10-04T08:09:19.411+01:002017-10-04T08:09:19.411+01:00Fiction England is a great power.Fiction England is a great power.TheStonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08189016251026273167noreply@blogger.com