全球化时代美国史的书写——托马斯·本德的跨国史研究

跨国史研究的知名学者托马斯·本德依据个人学术经历的发展逻辑,从理论构建和学术实践层面,探讨了全球化时代如何书写美国历史这一重要课题。在民族构建理论的基础上,本德重构民族国家及其历史,批评“美国例外论”,融合跨国视角与综合性叙事,提出比较、关联和语境化三种跨国史研究方法,撰写了《万国一邦》一书。面对学界的挑战与质疑,本德依然认为跨国史是一种未来可期的研究视角与路径,它丰富了长期主宰美国学界的民族国家史学的内涵。

How to Write American History in the Age of Globalization:On Thomas Bender s Transnational History

Regarded as the most influential authority in transnational studies,Thomas Bender answered the question of how to write American history in the age of globalization.Based on his personal experience of academic development,he discussed the significant issue through two layers of analysis:theoretical construct and scholarly practice.Starting from its constructed nature,Bender has reconstructed the nation-state and its history,criticizing American exceptionalism.In promoting a transnational and holistic perspective,he proposed a methodology of comparison,connection,and contextualization,and published the well-received masterpiece A Nation among Nations.When facing challenges and criticisms,Bender insists that transnational study is still a useful perspective and approach worthy of exploration and that it enriches the scope of the traditional nation-state historical paradigm that used to be at the center of American historiography.