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I venture to claim two qualifications for the great office which I hold, which to my mind, without making invidious distinctions, is one of the most important that can be held by any Englishman; and those qualifications are that in the first place I believe in the British Empire, and in the second place I believe in the British race. I believe that the British race is the greatest of the governing races that the world has ever seen.

Joseph Chamberlain#3

EmpireIdentityImperialismLeadershipNational identityRaceRacism

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims office based on belief in the British Empire and race. He asserts the British race is the greatest governing race ever.
In plain terms
I believe in the empire and the British race.
What can you take from it?
Identify personal qualifications through belief in nation and empire.

Where it applies

  • political speeches
  • nationalist movements
  • colonial governance

Putting it to work

  • analyze political rhetoric
  • study colonial ideology
  • examine national identity

Questions to consider

  • What makes a leader qualified?
  • How does race factor into governance?

Another view

The claim of racial superiority is scientifically baseless and ethically harmful.

More from Joseph Chamberlain

  1. The great problem of our civilization is still unsolved. We have to account for and grapple with the mass of misery and destitution in our midst, co-existent a…

    Permalink to quote #2
  2. Let it be our endeavour, let it be our task, to keep alight the torch of imperial patriotism, to hold fast the affection and the confidence of our kinsmen acro…

    Permalink to quote #4
  3. During the last 100 years, the House of Lords has never contributed one iota to popular liberties or popular freedom, or done anything to advance the common we…

    Permalink to quote #1

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