Brexit

Why is the Brexit bad?  I have heard a lot about the British people being stupider than Republican primary voters who chose Trump as the nominee.  Gee, let's insult vast swathes of people.  But if one opposes Brexit, shouldn't one also have preferred for the United States not to declare independence from England back in 1776?  The UK has morphed into a client state of a legalistic European empire based in various parts of the continent.  A once powerful nation, the guarantor of the Pax Britannica, had been reduced to an administrative district in the European Union.  It's like being demoted from CEO to middle management.  Who wants that?

 

Unlike many continental powers, the UK has lots of options for trading partners in the Anglosphere, many of whom are part of the British Commonwealth.  Moreover, much as the EU may be miffed by this mini-rebellion, it needs access to the British markets.  As Daniel Hannan has said, the UK has merely repatriated sovereignty to the UK.  Rather than merely have a representation in the European Empire, the UK assumes captaincy of its fate.  Nelson and Wellington would approve.

 

I admit some bias here.  As a big fan of Federalism, I have a default position against all centralization of authority and almost always favor more power for localities.  If the city can't do it, then look to the county.  If the county can't do it, look to the state.  If the state can't do it, then - and only then - look to the national government.  Will that result in a variety of standards?  Yes, but they will be standards that the local peoples have chosen for themselves rather than had imposed upon them from a distant potentate.  The Brexit is a move toward more local control, which is a good thing.