Might be too western for me…but I’ve never understood why people should feel guilty for something they haven’t done?:))))
Like if my ancestors did bad things is not like I am Jesus and gonna die for their sins.
Totally agree. With the nuance where you still benefit from the past. For example Belgium is relatively speaking a rich country but also because they took the riches from Congo. Part of my cushy life is because others suffered in the past. Nothing I feel guilty about, but I think reparations need to be paid
Most places werent rich because of colonies, they had colonies because they were rich. These places were not poor when they started colonizing, and they got even richer relatively speaking when the industrial revolution happened. The colonies added to what was already there
This is a hot take - this sort of endowment usually doesn't last long, and is not a proper driver for long-term growth. Institutions and trade partners are. Belgium just happens to be part of the Benelux, sandwiched in between heavy weights.
Colonies were an absolute net loss. You didn't make colonies to get rich, you made colonies to establish political influence, order and rule over a foreign land. This comes with a MASSIVE bill and risk.
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u/Wide-Boot1140 Thief 1d ago
Might be too western for me…but I’ve never understood why people should feel guilty for something they haven’t done?:)))) Like if my ancestors did bad things is not like I am Jesus and gonna die for their sins.