Imagine a Britain where Cromwell's revolution never faded. The monarchy remains abolished, the Commonwealth endures as a radical republic, and its foreign policy rejects empire. How would this Revolutionary English Republic (RER) engage with Africa?
Core Principles Guiding RER Policy:
- Anti-Imperialism as DNA: No colonies, no "spheres of influence." Rejection of mercantile exploitation.
- Commonwealth of Equals: Partnership based on mutual development, not patronage.
- "Godly Republic" Ethics: Anti-corruption, radical transparency, merit-based alliances.
- Strategic Sovereignty: Resources secured through fair trade, not coercion.
The Revolutionary Africa Framework (RAF)
| Policy Pillar | RER Action | Contrast to Historical Colonialism |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Engagement | Cooperative Industrialization Hubs: Joint ventures in renewable energy (solar/wind), critical mineral processing in Africa. Profits shared 60/40 (Africa majority). | Replaces resource extraction with value-creation in Africa. |
| Security | People's Defence Accords: Arms sales ONLY to democratically-verified governments. Training focused on border security & anti-piracy. | No support for dictators; no proxy wars. |
| Diplomacy | Pan-African Congress Seat: Permanent African Union delegation in London with veto power on RER-Africa policies. | Decisions made WITH Africa, not FOR Africa. |
| Cultural Exchange | Knowledge Repatriation Initiative: All British museums return African artifacts unconditionally. Fund digitization of oral histories. | Restores agency, confronts cultural theft. |
Cromwellian Dilemmas: Principles vs Pragmatism
Consider this hypothetical crisis: An RER ally in West Africa faces a coup with vast lithium reserves at stake. How should revolutionary Britain respond?
Three paths emerge:
- Sanctity of Democracy: Immediate sanctions and recall of engineers, upholding principle but losing resource access
- Republican Realpolitik: Engage junta only to secure worker-controlled mining cooperatives, preserving jobs but legitimizing usurpers
- People's Sanctuary Protocol: Evacuate elected leaders and fund resistance broadcasts, taking moral high ground while risking "neocolonial agitator" accusations
📌 What's your perspective?
Share your analysis in the comments: "If history had unfolded differently, how should a revolutionary Britain approach Africa? Should principles or pragmatism prevail?"
Why This Matters Today
The RER model forces us to ask: Can Western powers truly decolonize foreign policy?
This thought experiment reveals contemporary tensions in:
- Ethical Resource Partnerships (e.g., Western EV makers & African lithium)
- Military Non-Interference (e.g., Sahel conflicts)
- Debt Justice (RER would cancel all "odious" colonial-era debts)
"The Republic sees nations as souls before God—neither masters nor servants."
Oliver Cromwell III (Fictional Chancellor of RER, 2025)
Final Reflection:
This alternative history exercise invites critical examination of contemporary international relations. What's your take:
- Is a revolutionary Britain's Africa policy realistic?
- Which principles could translate to modern foreign policy?
- How would different historical paths reshape current Africa-Europe relations?
💬 I welcome your perspectives - join the conversation in the comments.
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