英吉利民族与英帝国

英吉利民族之所以能从众多欧洲民族中脱颖而出,不列颠之所以从一个西欧岛国不间断地向外扩张,最后建成疆土与势力范围遍及全球的庞大帝国,有着某种历史的必然性。除了先进的生产方式和先进的制度文明,英吉利民族本身具有的民族特性,英国社会各个阶层与英帝国发展之间的互动关系,也是十分重要的因素。它包括盎格鲁撒克逊人固有的种族优越感,整个民族对海外冒险和进取精神的崇尚,帝国存在的本身对千百万英国人的生存方式以及帝国观念形成的影响。

The English Nation and the British Empire

There are many factors to explain why the English nation could surpass other European nations and expand from a small island into a global empire. Apart from the advanced productive mode and institutional civilization, the English nation's character, the mutual influences between the social classes in England and the expansion of the British Empire, are also very important factors. This includes the Anglo-Saxons' inherent sense of superiority, their enterprising spirit and enthusiasm in overseas adventure as well as the impact of the British Empire on the living style of the Englishmen and their concept about the Empire.