Guest Margaret, yes, all of the above. Most generalisations have an element of truth in them.
Most of the posts above I can't argue with either. You just have to get things into perspective, and you must pick your own perspective.

'The English' did spread their particular brand of government around the world, and a poor thing it is. Until you consider all the others.

'The English' have been tyrants occasionally, and they have fought tyrants, the most notable being some of their own kings, the catholic church when it was corrupt, Napoleon, Hitler, and many, many others.

You will have to judge for yourself. I did, I emigrated from England to New Zealand, but I'm sure I could be settled in the USA, or Ausralia, Canada, or indeed Wales or Scotland, and perhaps Ireland now that the IRA are showing sense. Countries with representative government and religeous freedom because of their British colonial origins. I have relatives in all of them.
Chris, 33 years a Pom, 31 years a Kiwi.