Last week saw a great example of how impotent the world can be in the face of imperial power. It was all the more poignant because of the context – both historical and current – in which the incident took place.

The Business, Innovation and Skills select committee of the House of Commons released its report on the acquisition of the successful British company Cadbury’s by the American conglomerate, Kraft. The committee of MPs were particularly upset that Kraft’s CEO, Irene Rosenfeld, refused to appear before them to answer questions. Twice. It was reported elsewhere that she stated it wasn’t worth her time. However miffed they were, the MPs could do nothing about the situation – the mighty multi-national was too powerful.

The poignancy referred to above stems first from the fact during that same week the President of the US, Barak Obama, was in the UK for a state visit and declaring confidently that the relationship between the two countries was not merely special but essential. Yeah, right. Second, it stems from the historical fact that Britain used to be the imperial power and ruled a quarter of the world’s landmass and much of world trade. Not any more, as our esteemed MPs found out only too clearly.

Power. When you’re up, you’re up; and when you’re down, you’re down. And there’s nothing the world can do about it.


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