近代西方人西藏研究的国家竞争与学术流变

International Competition and the Academic Evolution of Modern Western Studies of Tibet

受殖民利益驱使,西方人在近代深入西藏地区开展各类调查工作,间接开启了对西藏的文化研究活动。经游历家、传教士等个体和皇家地理学会等专业组织的努力,英国逐渐将西藏研究从地理情报搜寻转向为学术综合考察。俄国出于地缘政治利益需要,在西藏研究上与英国形成学术竞争,在此期间西方人的成果呈现史学化的特点。美国站在地方、国家和洲际的观察视角,最终将西方人西藏研究由地理游记纳入区域研究的学术体系。

Driven by colonial interests,Westerners went deep into Tibet to carry out various surveys in modern times and indirectly started cultural research activities in Tibet.With the efforts of travelers,missionaries,and other individuals,as well as professional organizations such as the Royal Geographical Society,Britain gradually changed the study of Tibet from a geographical information search to a comprehensive academic investigation.For the sake of geopolitical interests,Russia engaged in academic competition with Britain in Tibetan studies,and Western studies made historic contributions.From the perspective of local,national,and international observations,the United States eventually extended Western Tibetan studies from the geographical travel sketch to the academic system of regional studies.