Dennis Austin

In memoriam: Legacies of empire

At the height of influence the British Empire contained the seeds not only of its power but its destruction. Within a generation of the height of its powers it dissolved into separate states while the development of the European Union cast a shadow over the autonomy of Great Britain itself. The British Empire is now as extinct as Romes, empire replaced by Commonwealth and control by reconciliation. Its memorial is to have governed a large part of the world, left English as the first world‐language, and to have retained Commonwealth ties of association with many former dependencies.

One with Nineveh and Tyre

The intimacy of the early Commonwealth was dissipated by its rapid enlargement following decolonization. Much has been made of the associations commitment to democracy and good governance. But the internal conditions of many member states stand in contrast to such well intentioned phrases. Nowhere is this more true than in Africa where control under colonial rule has frequently given way to repression under African leaders. This raises questions about whether the Commonwealth can continue indefinitely.

The Commonwealth 2001‐2101

Future development of the Commonwealth can take a number of differing paths. The author takes the opportunity of the High Level Review Group to consider the possibilities and their consequences. A panel of special advisors specializing in a range of practical topics (omitting issues related to political or moral ethics) could be appointed by the Commonwealth Secretariat to offer guidance to the High Level Review Group.

Malta today asks ‐ under which king, Bezonian?

Malta endured centuries of subjugation before achieving independence in 1964 but is now seeking membership of the European Union. After effectively rejecting a form of Parliamentary integration with Britain in the 1950s, the Malta of the 1970s developed its own brand of non‐aligned independence and has latterly secured a more broadly‐based and viable economy, although heavily dependent on the whims of international tourism. But after only three decades of independence the political parties are divided over the economic advantages of joining the EU and even more deeply split over the political consequences.