亨利·卢斯“美国世纪”命题的提出及其影响

Henry Robinson Luce’s“American Century”and Its Infl uence

“20世纪是美国的世纪”是亨利·卢斯于20世纪40年代初提出的关于美国与世界关系的命题,有两方面含义:一是美国在20世纪已经成为世界上最强大的国家和主导性力量;二是美国要积极参与国际事务,按照美国的价值观和利益重塑世界,给20世纪打上鲜明的美国烙印。“美国世纪”反映了美国自由国际主义者对美国历史传统、国家身份和国际角色的思考,成为美国决策者和精英理解美国与世界关系、阐释美国国际地位的基本概念框架,塑造了美国人对国家身份与国际角色的认识。“美国世纪”也成为激动人心的口号,以及决策者动员民众支持美国对外干预和维护世界霸权地位的话语工具。

Henry Robinson Luce’s thesis“The 20th Century is the Century of the United State”was ever raised about the relationship between the United States and the world in the early 1940s.It had two implications:fi rst,America had become the most powerful country and dominant force around the world in the 20th century;second,America should actively participate in international affairs,with an aim at reshaping the world based on American values and interests.This century must be imprinted according to the American image.The“American century”proposition reflected the thinking of liberal internationalists on American historical tradition,national identity and its international role.It became a basic conceptual tool for American decision-makers and elites not only to consider the relationship between their country and the world but also to elucidate its international status.Besides,it shaped the American understanding of national identity and its international role.The“American century”also became an inspiring slogan,as well as a discourse tool used by decision-makers to mobilize the public to support American foreign intervention and maintain world hegemony.