Earlier quoted context omitted.
The world is not black and white. The british built infrastructure that is still being used today. Like their railway system. They also educated the populace.
That's a poor excuse all the colonizators and invaders always use - "We buit something there! We brought good and civilization to the wild bloodthirsty pagans! White man's burden anyone?" Not really. Locals would build it as well, just maybe later. Technology spreads disregarding the governments or countries.
Technological advances secured West’s domination over much of the world for centuries, despite having smaller population. Competitors were brought to submission using superior technology — China (Opium wars), Native Americans, Japan (WW II) and nearly every case I can think of.
So, sooner is massively better than later.