France learned that lesson over the course of the Napoleonic wars, WW1 and WW2.
Britain was never invaded or devastated like the continent and never experienced the national "humbling" that so many of the former Great Powers did.
English exceptionalism is a blight on our country and I hope a disastrous Brexit truly kills it once and for all. We need to recognise our weaknesses and strengths and stop trying to play chess with checkers.
"English exceptionalism", excuse me!
Of all the nations in the UK the English ironically enough are the least nationalistic.
You want to talk about separatism and nationalism,then what about the Scots? They've been pushing to go their own way since before Brexit was a thing! How is Scotland leaving the union with the rest of the UK somehow more noble and justified when its joining was a political act same as joining the EU was, and at least was with a country that it shared a physical geographic border!
But hey "English nationalism" is Fascism, "Scottish nationalism" is Fookin' braveheart!
The big laugh is making out that the Welsh, Scots, and Ulster Irish have a monopoly on giving Westminster the old side-eye. Ever hear of the North/South divide in England, ask anyone in the North if they feel they get treated the same as Lomdoners do!
Britain was humbled severely after WWII, mainly at the hands of our American friends who's "Lease lend" policy payback led to a decade of austerity for this country, the likes of which make modern measures seem tame. Learm your damn history.