Q&A · 1:18:25-1:19:23

Consultation in a century-long decolonization plan

A managed decolonization plan would have to anticipate changing colonial opinion and use consultation to preserve cooperation rather than assume permanent loyalty.

Question

Would attitudes within the British Empire change during a proposed 100-year decolonization plan?

Short answer

Yes; the plan would need to anticipate that change and use consultation to build more durable cooperation and influence.

Notes

Changing attitudes within the British Empire were already assumed in the proposed century-long transition. Managing that change would require listening to the people affected and working with their views. Cooperation could produce more durable support and preserve Britain's ability to influence the process. Political leadership would therefore depend partly on consultation throughout the transition.