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(c).
become a Colonial policy".
Many of the Protectorates were thus annexed or alternatively
virtually assimilated to colonies, and now that the last 3 decades of
'decolonization' has reverted most of them back to independent states
and so genuine objects of foreign policy again, we are left with the
present problem of converting the less disposable residuum back either
into independent mini-states or semi-independent ones like the old
Protectorates, of which, of course, the present 'Associated States' are
very close (though in present circumstances unsatisfactory) imitations.
But that old 'Protectorates' system was essentially the expression of
the foreign policy of a then Great Power and one, moreover, possessing
a secure maritime supremacy in the world. The difference in our present
circumstances in those respects does not need to be remarked.
•
Despite our natural tendency, as the Metropolitan Power, to see this
problem of the remaining small dependencies as a single one,
I think
that view would be misleading, not only because they are not capable of
a single overall solution or even series of solutions, but because there
is so little uniformity in their character and circumstances. That most are small in physical size seems to be their only common quality (and BAT is not even that, though a very special case in every way). Some ar
thinly populated; others relatively not so, even though their total population is small. Some are geographically remote; others are in close proximity to other territories, and some of the latter (e.g. the West Indian cases) are nearer to larger states whose strategic interests must presumably influence our decisions on their future status. Some are mainly populated by British settlers or their descendants; others almost entirely indigenous and non-European; the former thus have a genuine patrial attachment to Britain whilst the others are at least partly motivated by considerations of security or economic advantage (both of course, quite worthy). No less do our present interests in them vary
own