观念在外交决策中的作用--对《观念与外交政策》一书的解读

如何看待观念在外交决策中的作用一直是西方国际关系理论中争论的焦点问题之一.理想主义和建构主义强调观念建构是第一性的,现实主义强调物质实力至上,美国学者戈尔茨坦和基欧汉在主编的<观念与外交政策>一书中则强调物质因素和观念因素同是影响外交决策的重要变量.他们还将观念分解为世界观、原则性信念和因果信念3种形式,它们通过提供行动指南,增进共识和建构制度等方式对外交决策产生影响.这些争论提示我们,我国的外交战略既要立足于物质实力的增强,又不能忽视观念的作用;既要积极参与国际社会的观念建构,又要避免意识形态对抗.

The Impacts of Ideas on Foreign Policy--A Review of Ideas and Foreign Policy

The role of ideas on foreign policy making constitutes a debating focus of IR in the west.Idealists and constructivists put the top priority on idea's constructing role;while realists consider the material power as the most important factor.Arguing with these two approaches,Judith Goldstein and Robert Keohane point out in their edited book Ideas and Foreign Policy that both ideas and material factors are important determinants in foreign policy.They further reveal how the ideas influence foreign policy by dividing ideas into world views,principled and causal beliefs,which provide road maps,help to form consensus and become embedded in political institutions.These arguments remind us that China should neglect neither material nor ideas factors in its peaceful development.While managing to avoid ideological confrontation,we should take an active part in ideas construction in the international community.