近代英国兴衰的历史轨迹

The Historical Trajectory of the Rise and Fall of Modern Britain

英国是一个在欧洲地图上处于边缘地带的岛国,1500年后却异军突起,成为对世界历史的发展具有举足轻重的国家。但好景不长,1945年后它慢慢退出了世界历史的中心位置。这种大起大落的历史轨迹成为众多学者关注和研究的对象。英国崛起的原因固然很多,比如天时地利等,但最关键的因素依然是英国在崛起过程中的工业精神。而其衰落的因素虽不胜枚举,“一战”和“二战”都是十分明显的标志性事件,但其根本因素依旧还是英国丧失了其崛起过程中的那种工业精神。因为这种工业精神最本质的东西就是强调诚实劳动与创新活动的价值。任何一个社会,只要这种性质的东西得不到尊重,甚至遭到鄙视,那么,这个国家就走上了不归路。或许,这就是英国兴衰历史给我们的启示。

Britain,an island country on the periphery of the European map,emerged after the year of 1500 as a pivotal country for the development of world history.However,it did not last long,and after 1945 it slowly withdrew from the center of world history.This historical trajectory of great ups and downs has become the research fucus for many scholars.There are certainly many reasons for Britain’s rise,such as the timing and location,but the most crucial factor remains the industrial spirit of Britain in the process of its rise.Although the factors of its decline are numerous,the“World War I”and“World War II”are obvious landmarks.However,the fundamental factor is still the loss of the industrial spirit of Britain’s rise to power.The most essential thing about this industrial spirit is the emphasis on the value of honest labor and innovative activity.In any society,if this nature is not respected,or even despised,then the country is on the road to decline.This is what the history of the rise and fall of Britain teaches us.