--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is fundamental to socialism that we…" description: "\"It is fundamental to socialism that we should liquidate the British Empire as soon as we can\" — Stafford Cripps" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/stafford-cripps-31809_british_it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-s_2926842.png" --- # It is fundamental to socialism that we should liquidate… ![“It is fundamental to socialism that we should liquidate the British Empire as soon as we can” quote by Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/stafford-cripps-31809_british_it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-s_2926842.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/stafford-cripps-31809_british_it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-s_2926842.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/stafford-cripps-31809_british_it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-s_2926842.png) > “It is fundamental to socialism that we should liquidate the British Empire as soon as we can” [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement argues that dismantling the British Empire is essential to true socialism, implying imperialism contradicts socialist ideals. **In simple terms:** Socialism requires ending empire. Key Takeaway Support decolonization for socialist goals. Themes politics imperialism socialism Mood critical analytical Type political historical When to use this quote - policy debates - activism - education - historical analysis Key Concepts colonialism economic justice national sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - Is empire inherently incompatible with socialism? - What alternatives exist for post‑imperial societies? A Different Perspective The quote may overlook complexities of post‑colonial transitions and economic realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [British empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british-empire/) [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Empires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empires/) [Fundamental Socialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamental-socialism-4292955/) [Fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentals/) [Liquidate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liquidate-1343386/) [Liquidate British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liquidate-british-4292954/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Socialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/socialism/) [Socialism Liquidate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/socialism-liquidate-4292953/) ## Related quotes > [Resolution Trust Company was set up to liquidate a bunch of assets that the government had inherited because the savings and loans went broke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/resolution-trust-company-was-set-up-to-liquidate-a-bunch-of-assets-2/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [New York as an industry is the best city for real estate. You're in a very transparent market. If you need to liquidate, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aby-rosen/new-york-as-an-industry-is-the-best-city-for-real-estate-you-re-in-a/) [Aby Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aby-rosen/) > [In principle, I'm sorry that we didn't liquidate him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-sharon/in-principle-i-m-sorry-that-we-didn-t-liquidate-him/) [Ariel Sharon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-sharon/) > [Resolution Trust Company was set up to liquidate a bunch of assets that the government had inherited because the savings and loans went broke.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-warren-buffett/resolution-trust-company-was-set-up-to-liquidate-a-bunch-of-assets/) [Howard Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-warren-buffett/) > [Liquidate labor, liquidate stocks, liquidate farmers, liquidate real estate. It will purge the rottenness out of the system. High costs of living and high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mellon/liquidate-labor-liquidate-stocks-liquidate-farmers-liquidate-real/) [Andrew Mellon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mellon/) > [Liquidate labor, liquidate stocks, liquidate the farmers, liquidate real estate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mellon/liquidate-labor-liquidate-stocks-liquidate-the-farmers-liquidate-real/) [Andrew Mellon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mellon/) > [“I’m trying to liquidate my assets. Somebody get me a straw.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-m-trying-to-liquidate-my-assets-somebody-get-me-a-straw/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [The British Empire was so vast and so powerful, the sun would never set on it. This is how big it was, yet these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-british-empire-was-so-vast-and-so-powerful-the-sun-would-never/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [The sun never sets on the British Empire. But it rises every morning. The sky must get awfully crowded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/the-sun-never-sets-on-the-british-empire-but-it-rises-every-morning/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [The British Empire has advanced to a new conception of autonomyand freedom, to the idea of a system of British nations, each freely ordering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-vi/the-british-empire-has-advanced-to-a-new-conception-of-autonomyand/) [George VI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-vi/) > [You know, when I was a girl, the idea that the British Empire could ever end was absolutely inconceivable. And it just disappeared, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/you-know-when-i-was-a-girl-the-idea-that-the-british-empire-could/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [Let it be our endeavour, let it be our task, to keep alight the torch of imperial patriotism, to hold fast the affection and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-chamberlain/let-it-be-our-endeavour-let-it-be-our-task-to-keep-alight-the-torch/) [Joseph Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-chamberlain/) > [Canada's ruling circles seek to ally themselves more closely with American imperialism without giving up the economic advantages of membership in the British Empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-buck/canada-s-ruling-circles-seek-to-ally-themselves-more-closely-with/) [Tim Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-buck/) > [Taxation, the very thing that had triggered the British civil wars, would do so again, this time in America. The taxes may have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/taxation-the-very-thing-that-had-triggered-the-british-civil-wars/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [the twelve or fifteen millions in the British Empire, who, while they possess no electoral rights, are yet persuaded they are freemen, and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cobden/the-twelve-or-fifteen-millions-in-the-british-empire-who-while-they/) [Richard Cobden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cobden/) ## More by Stafford Cripps > [Apart altogether from our own vital interests, we cannot and must not desert those other nations who have already gone through so much tragedy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/apart-altogether-from-our-own-vital-interests-we-cannot-and-must-not/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [We ask the great masses of India to be patient a short time longer, while the cause of freedom is being fought out, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/we-ask-the-great-masses-of-india-to-be-patient-a-short-time-longer/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [But it is a fallacy, if one is examining the methods by which security can be attained, to start upon the assumption, as so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/but-it-is-a-fallacy-if-one-is-examining-the-methods-by-which-security/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [We have pledged ourselves, and of this the United Nations of the world are witness, to give the fullest opportunity for attainment of self-government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/we-have-pledged-ourselves-and-of-this-the-united-nations-of-the-world/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [India has indeed a great and free future before her, in which she can make her special contribution to the well-being of mankind. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/india-has-indeed-a-great-and-free-future-before-her-in-which-she-can/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [Many hard comments have been made on my efforts in India from the side of the Congress party, yet I feel content in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/many-hard-comments-have-been-made-on-my-efforts-in-india-from-the/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [Productive power is the foundation of a country's economic strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/productive-power-is-the-foundation-of-a-country-s-economic-strength/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [Violent statements and threats cannot provide a solution to the problem. They can only exacerbate feeling and make a clash of forces inevitable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/violent-statements-and-threats-cannot-provide-a-solution-to-the/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [It is not yet too late for the Indian people to decide on rapid, ordered progress. I can assure them that the British people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/it-is-not-yet-too-late-for-the-indian-people-to-decide-on-rapid/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [Every possible effort should be made to stop recruiting for the Armed Forces. This may, and probably would, lead to some form of conscription…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/every-possible-effort-should-be-made-to-stop-recruiting-for-the-armed/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [We must now allow ourselves to be blinded to long-term developments by the intensity of the short-term difficulties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/we-must-now-allow-ourselves-to-be-blinded-to-long-term-developments/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [Gandhi has asked that the British Government should walk out of India and leave the Indian people to settle differences among themselves, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/gandhi-has-asked-that-the-british-government-should-walk-out-of-india/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [Gandhi has more recently recognized the need for continuance of British, American and Chinese efforts in India and has suggested that these troops might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/gandhi-has-more-recently-recognized-the-need-for-continuance-of/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [Reasoned arguments and suggestions which make allowance for the full difficulties of the state of war that exists may help, and will always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/reasoned-arguments-and-suggestions-which-make-allowance-for-the-full/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) > [No one will expect the British Government or the Government of India to give way to threats of violence, disorder and chaos; and, indeed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/no-one-will-expect-the-british-government-or-the-government-of-india/) [Stafford Cripps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) [Explore all 16 Stafford Cripps quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/) ## More British quotes > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [I always wanted to make a 'James Bond' film, and they only seemed to hire British directors, and I'd made 'Swingers' - they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/i-always-wanted-to-make-a-james-bond-film-and-they-only-seemed-to/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [Somebody said that part of my reaction to British cinema is actually, paradoxically, a patriotic one. I'm so disappointed that we're not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brownlow/somebody-said-that-part-of-my-reaction-to-british-cinema-is-actually/) [Kevin Brownlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brownlow/) > [All the cliches of glamorous sophistication have little appeal to me. Do I want to live the British version of 'Dynasty?' No thanks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/all-the-cliches-of-glamorous-sophistication-have-little-appeal-to-me/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [British Forces should be in a position to give back in a ten fold measure any attack that the Germans may attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-banting/british-forces-should-be-in-a-position-to-give-back-in-a-ten-fold/) [Frederick Banting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-banting/) > [Although I don't have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-i-don-t-have-anything-against-people-from-other-countries/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [While we like to think queueing is unique to British culture, the truth is that we are mere amateurs. 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The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The whole nuclear-arms-control and non-proliferation policy of the nuclear powers is a fraud: The Americans could not prevent the Soviets from replicating their weaponry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/the-whole-nuclear-arms-control-and-non-proliferation-policy-of-the/) [Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/) > [There just seems to be more acceptance now of other kinds of British films, than the picture-postcard ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-roth/there-just-seems-to-be-more-acceptance-now-of-other-kinds-of-british/) [Tim Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-roth/) [Browse all 3,149 British quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is fundamental to socialism that we should liquidate the British Empire as soon as we can", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stafford Cripps" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-should-liquidate-the-british/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "British" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-should-liquidate-the-british/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/stafford-cripps-31809_british_it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-s_2926842.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/stafford-cripps-31809_british_it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-s_2926842.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00f/stafford-cripps-31809_british_it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-s_2926842.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is fundamental to socialism that we should liquidate the British Empire as soon as we can” — Stafford Cripps", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stafford Cripps", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stafford-cripps/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is fundamental to socialism that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-should-liquidate-the-british/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stafford-cripps/it-is-fundamental-to-socialism-that-we-should-liquidate-the-british/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```