and then our exile

Just caught the last half of Niall Ferguson on CBC. Self-contradictory views on the world, though inundated with a sophistication of sorts perhaps extant only because of his British accent. Left speechless at compound ignorance, in that empire, while perhaps increasing material prosperity within its bounds, disrupts traditional societies and causes immense destruction, internal ruptures and massive Hurt. How hard is that to see? Money is *not* the most common denominator--even though it might be argued British Empire increased the such-flow, the counterbalance is extreme. Also, where does he get all these moral prerogatives of "superpowers" from? Above all, free trade, democracy and the rule of law are *not* ends in and of themselves, but rather means to a transcendent end. Furthermore, the notion that the world would descend into anarchy without the Big Stick is not only preposterous, it's disgusting.
Okay, so the reason i'm having trouble digesting this is that (despite appearances) i can't just dismiss him as a neocon out of New Zion--he inserted enough criticism of imperialism (which i maybe amn't relaying) to warrant further thought, even though he tried to walk a happy median where none existed.

i too am colonized, and not by myself.