That isnt how international relations works. Lesson based on contemporary IR Systems Realism:

>Great powers are forced to manage the international system, or become a client of a great power. There are benefits to being a great power.

>When 1 great power builds weapons, everyone else is forced to too. This is called the Arms Race.

>Colonialism is one example of the Arms Race. If you didn't join the party, you were going to lose.

>Great powers put international politics above domestic politics. Its why we see the US do things like spend heavily on the military and get involved in unpopular wars.

Colonialism arguably ruined the Spanish economy.

The discussion was about redcoat era Britain.