Where do pro-imperials stand concerning the status of metric versus imperial or other systems in use in the world?

Is metric just a European thing with everyone else being users of English/imperial or other?

Is metric a world-wide thing with everybody but a few hold-outs using English/imperial or other?

Why do pro-imperials link metric usage only to Europe and forget about the rest of the metric world or is this a mis-understanding?

What system would a pro-imperial say is used in the countries of Asia, the Americas (North, Central and South), in Africa, Australia, and elsewhere not mentioned?

The rest of the world is metric either because they were colonised by Europe and forced to accept the metric system (along with a European language) or because they decided to convert to metric in the 50s-70s because they wanted to integrate their economies with those of more advanced countries in Europe. Although most of these nations are predominantly metric, remnants of older systems still exist in smaller villages. These include both English units and local pre-colonial units.

The colonial argument explains some of Africa and Asia. I think there are two counter examples that show it is incomplete.

First, all the English speaking colonies should have adopted Imperial. But all of them after winning independence in one way or another have "officially" chosen metric although Imperial or Customary is also used to varying degrees.

Second, I don't think Spain and Portugal were early adopters of the metric system. Quite a number of countries in South and Central America used traditional Spanish (and Portuguese) measures. Some, like the vara, were even used in parts of the US originally in the Spanish Empire. I think some of those countries won independence before Spain and Portugal went metric, yet they chose to go metric too. (I couldn't find a hard date when Spain went metric). Colonialism is certainly where they got their language, though.

Honduras still uses old Spanish measures and so does Cuba. Bud simply can't face the fact that metric is superior.

... and I believe that parts of Texas also used the old SPanish units of measure.

<<But all of them after winning independence in one way or another have "officially" chosen metric although Imperial or Customary is also used to varying degrees.
>>

Not all of them, no.

BTW - imperial is used in many caribbean countries.
And caribbean countries are sunny and beautiful.
This must mean that "imperial is better"
Simple as that, eh?

Duh!

(that wasn't aimed at you, John, it was for an ageing poster who pretends to know something about metric but blames others for having next to no knowledge based entirely upon this lack of knowledge, if you follow)

The Carribiean countries are not very efficient (as Ronnie Biggs was happy to find out). About thirty years ago somebody kidnapped Ronnie Biggs, flew him to one of the Carribiean islansd and let him loose where he was arrested regarding the Great Train Robbery. During the extradition hearing, it was discovered that the country concerned had no extradition treaty with Britain as nobody had got round to signing it. AS a result Ronnie Biggs returned to Brazil unitl he decided that in view of his ill-health, it was better from his point of view to let Her Majesty pay his medical bills even if restrictions were placed on his movement.

Interesting anecdote there.

The anecdote shows that certain of the Carribean islands cannot be regarded as being very organised, so should not be taken as prime examples of what is done in a first world country.

<<BTW - imperial is used in many caribbean countries.
And caribbean countries are sunny and beautiful.
This must mean that "imperial is better"
Simple as that, eh?>>

And economic powerhouses, too. Why, I'm surprising they all joined the G8.
Actually (as I'm sure you know) there have been articles about many of them getting more active about metrication. (Some other responders have posted some of them, either or elsewhere you've brought up the Caribbean)

Just to post one.
http://www.stluciamirroronline.com/2005/mar25/story2.htm
<<By the end of this year, St. Lucians could begin buying their petroleum products in liters rather than gallons, as the island begins the change over to the metric system of weights and measures.

St. Lucia and the other islands of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are currently engaged in a rush to catch up with the more developed Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, as the region heads towards the establishment this year of a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The larger countries—Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados—have already gone ahead of the smaller OECS states in making the switch.

St. Lucia could have been there alongside them. The island launched a movement towards metrication nearly 20 years ago, with media articles and discussions, but no one remembers why the effort was stopped.

"People who were serving on the Metrication Board then have actually since died," said Director of the Bureau of Standards Allison Plummer whose office is coordinating the new metrication drive.>>

One of the reasons cited for going metric is "your favorite:"

<<Plummer said the plan was to achieve full metrication within the shortest possible time, certainly in five years’ time so that the islands can trade with Europe.
. . .
Most of the 15-nation Caribbean Community has already gone from the old imperial system still used in Britain and the United States to the metric system, which is used by most other developed nations.

First adopted by France in 1799, the metric system uses meters instead of yards and kilograms instead of pounds.

Trinidad was among the first to pass metric system legislation, more than 25 years ago, according to Camella Rhone, with the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality, an intergovernmental agency.

Other countries followed suit, and the metric system is permeating daily life at different rates throughout the region.

Farthest behind is Antigua, which is still on the imperial system and does not plan to pass metric legislation in sooner than four years.
. . .
By 2010, the European Union will only accept trade in metric weights and measures, Plummer said.>>

So they are not 100% metric yet, but are moving that way. The question is whether they will beat the UK and US in completing conversion.

Again - all this is rather misleading.

It's the old "what makes a country metric" thing.

Legally, or technically, or whatever, Barbados is a "metric country".

But when you actually get there, you'll notice that its about as metric as the UK!

(actually road signs are meant to be metric, but just try and find one!!)