人性、社会与共同体:尼布尔国际关系思想的逻辑起点

Human Nature,Society and Community: Logical Starting Point of Niebuhr's Thought of International Relation

作为现实主义基督教神学政治家,尼布尔国际关系思想的逻辑起点涵盖了对人性、社会与共同体的分析。他认为:人是不道德的,其权力欲会使生存意志转变为求权意志;个人道德行为与社会道德行为有严格区分,这使得为个人所不耻的政治策略变得必要;人类共同体尤其是国家之间的战争是同人性中的求权意志相联系的,战争可以通过势力均衡及世界政府这样的限制措施来减少。在此基础上,尼布尔建构起一种既不幻想也不绝望、"在现实中行得通"的政治理论。

Niebuhr is a realistic statesman of Christian theology,whose logical starting point of international relation thought covers the analysis of human nature,society and community. In his opinion,man is immoral and his lust for power can make the will to live change into the one to seek power. There is a sharp difference between the personal moral behavior and the social one,which necessitates the shameful political policies. The wars among the human communities,especially nations,are related to the will to seek power of human nature and they can be reduced by the balance of power and the restrictive measures of world government. On this basis,Niebuhr constructs a practicable political theory with no illusion and desperation.