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By 'insular' I mean least outward looking, least international, fewest immigrants, fewest people who speak English (sans the UK, of course, where one might count speakers of a European language), those who seem least interested in events outside their country, less pop music from other countries, less cosmopolitan (e.g. types of food), more traditional.etc.
Of course insular isn't necessarily a bad things, sometimes it's better if a country isn't too connected to the outside world.
By 'Western Europe' I am including the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, but also Italy, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
I think the Netherlands would be first (even more than the UK I think), while the least is probably Italy and Portugal. In Italy's case, a lack of immigration and the fact Italy was never a colonial power in recent centuries (well nothing compared to the rest), as well as a long history, has something to do with it.
I think the Netherlands would be first (even more than the UK I think), while the least is probably Italy and Portugal. In Italy's case, a lack of immigration and the fact Italy was never a colonial power in recent centuries (well nothing compared to the rest), as well as a long history, has something to do with it.
Maybe you mean the other way round -- the Netherlands is the LEAST insular while Italy and Portugal the MOST?
Going by the OP's definition, the UK is definitely not insular - it's extremely international and an important part of the global economy, as well as a major military power, very diverse with cuisine from all over the world and a wide array of music - particularly from the US, Canada and Sweden but also from the Caribbean (big Jamaican influence in particular). Just because people here hate the EU doesn't mean they are insular. There's more to the world than little old Europe.
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