Seadog,
if we look at cost-benefit analysis, then Colonization pushed Indian sub-continent by many decades. Sure, there could have been certain benefits, but they are negligible to say the least. We could have learnt things without being colonized for 300 years. I appreciate your ability to look at silver lining, but its also important to have a perspective. Lets be very clear that colonization was brutal on Sub-continent civilization in all ways. The brits manipulated us in political, religious, social, financial and in every other way. If India(I mean pre-colonised India) had occupied Britain, would the Brits think on similar lines about occupation merely because of a democracy or a language?
Also, democracy(and more importantly its success) is not a direct consequence of colonial rule. British ruled many nations, how many of them are democratic today? How many of them are struggling from political, ethinic, social and religious(minority) problems that were created in British rule?