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John R. Seeley:
John R. Seeley is a professor was Cambridge University. He published a book in 1883, were he among other things puts up two views on the Empire which he calls the pessimistic and the bombastic view. His book where published right after the Empire got room in the political debate in 1880, and resulted in the book having a big influence on how the English viewed the Empire.

The bombastic view is a very positive view on the Empire. A conviction where the size of the English Empire is honorably admired and loved. Here the size of the Empire is connected with a national feeling, because the creation of the Empire seems to be glorious and heroic, the conquest of the colonies, in this view, has happened with a fairly good reason. Because of these emotional reasons the Empire has to be kept and extended. The pessimistic view is very much the opposite, where the Empire is seen as an extension build on aggression and greed. The Empire has no value and is seen as a burden and not as a sign of power. In connection to war and conflicts, the Empire is also a burden. As an island England could take advantage of their isolation. When it came to occupations and wars, but was not able to do so as a colonial power. This is why, according to this view, it was best if they dismantled the colonies.

Seeley him self has objections to both view. If we start looking at the bombastic, Seeley points out that greatness is not measured by size, a big state is not equal to abundance and brilliance, also to preserve a Empire just to maintain the respect for the heroism, they believe conquered the colony is difficult and unrealistic. His objection to the pessimistic view is, that they see the colonies estates, which they have to get rid of if they are not worth it. The colonies are, according to Seeley, not just estates owned by England, but an expansion of the English state. This leads me to his final description of the Empire, namely England as one big state, and not just an island which owns colonies around the world.

This state, the English Empire, Seeley compares it to USA, a new and bigger type of state, which is created by the times demand for bigger states and natural and expansion of the English race. What happens is a natural expansion and the states become bigger. Small states will disappear among the expanding bigger states. Before the distances made these states impossible, but new technology removed the distance. Language and religion where also a barrier but with trade and emigration it was gone. Seeley also points out that you will get stronger bonds with the colonies by acknowledging as one Great Britain, and this way signify national feeling to the colonies.

We can conclude, according to the bombastic view strength is measured by the amount of land owned, and expansion is important to the Empire, but also because the Empire is linked to English abundance. The pessimistic view sees the colonies as a burden, and is need to get rid of them if it does not pay. Seeley portrays the Empire as one big state and not as the colonies + England. He thinks that the expansion is important and natural, because of natural progress and the desire to keep their power.