19世纪英国自由主义者论民族——以约翰·密尔为中心

British Liberals on Nationalism in the 19th Century : A Case Study of J.S.Mill

19世纪欧洲自由主义者的民族观点是当代"自由民族主义"的重要理论源泉。以约翰·密尔为代表的英国自由主义者将民族情感视为政治共同体的凝聚力。在民族自决、何谓"大国"等问题上,则持一种"文明"标准,认为文明程度高的民族可以独立,可以同化文明程度低的民族;民族国家的伟大在于文化与精神的高贵。欧洲的自由主义与民族主义经历了从19世纪初结盟反对封建专制,到20世纪逐渐分离。当代学者重新接续它们,既正视了政治共同体的民族国家前提,承认忠诚的重要性;又把个人权利与选择自由注入民族主义,防范其极端化。

European Liberals＇ thoughts on nationality in the 19th century are important resources of contemporary Liberal Nationalism theories. At that time, British liberals regarded national sentiments as a vital cohesive force of any political community. They usually preferred a ＂civilized＂ standard when discussing questions like national self-determination and defining ＂ great power＂, and argued that nations with higher civilization should be allowed self- determination, and permitted to assimilate other nations with lower civilization, since the greatness of a nation lies in its nobleness of culture and dignity of spirit. At the beginning of 19th century, European liberalism and nationalism formed an alliance to struggle against feudal despotism but were gradually separated in the 20th century. Contemporary scholars try to prove that they can be compatible by emphasizing the importance of national loyalty to a political community on one hand, and by holding the priority of individual rights and freedom to prevent the extremity of nationalism on the other.