纽约时报英文文章阅读

这里有 其实就在网上浏览也不错嘛，想了解时事看这个不错，但我想要是学英语，这个就不是个好选择，因为上面有太多专业语术，大学生看了都头疼，学英语嘛，还是21世纪报好！

大学生 英语阅读 能力的培养是外语教学的重要内容之一。下面是我带来的大学英语 文章 阅读，欢迎阅读!

大学英语文章阅读1

希拉里最爱的11本书 它们塑造了我的思想

1. "The Brothers Karamasov" by Dostoevsky

陀思妥耶夫斯基著《卡拉马佐夫兄弟》

During her tour in New Hampshire, Clinton named Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" as her favorite book.

克林顿在访问新罕布什尔州期间，说弗奥多•陀思妥耶夫斯基的《卡拉马佐夫兄弟》是她最喜欢的书。

Also recommended by Albert Einstein, Vladimir Putin, mentioned in 5 Good Books To Read According To Haruki Murakami. This is of the best allegorical novels to explain the fractured nature of 19th century Russia. Throughout are themes of love, law, and duty, which makes this one of the best Dostoyesky books to read besides Crime and Punishment.

这本书也备受阿尔伯特·爱因斯坦和弗拉基米尔·普京的推崇，并被列为“村上春树推荐阅读的5本好书”之一。这是一本最优秀的讽喻小说，阐释了19世纪俄国没落的本质。爱、法律和责任的主题贯穿全书，是陀思妥耶夫斯基的书中除《罪与罚》之外最值得阅读的一本。

2. "The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance" by Edmund de Waal

埃德蒙·德瓦尔著《琥珀眼睛的兔子：隐秘的遗产》

Q：What was the last truly great book you read?

提问：你最近读过哪本真正的好书?

Hillary: I can't stop thinking about "The Hare With Amber Eyes," by Edmund de Waal; "The Signature of All Things," by Elizabeth Gilbert; "Citizens of London," by Lynne Olson; and "A suitable Boy," by Vikram Seth.- from interview to The New York Times

希拉里：关于这个问题，我不禁想到埃德蒙·德瓦尔的《琥珀眼睛的兔子》、伊丽莎白·吉尔伯特的《万物的签名》、琳内·奥尔森的《伦敦公民》和维克拉姆·赛斯的《合适郎君》。——摘自《纽约时报》采访

In the 1800's, the family of Ephrussis bankers lit up the Parisienne and Venetian world in similar fashion to the Vanderbilts and Morgans of the Roaring '20s. History students who enjoy a mixture of royal and peasant life stories will want to read this multiple award-winning account.

19世纪，从事银行业的伊弗鲁西家族在巴黎和维也纳煊赫一时，就像“咆哮的二十年代”时期的范德贝尔特家族和摩根家族那样。皇家贵族的生活和穷苦农民的日子交织在一起，喜欢这类主题的历史学生会想读一读这本优秀的史实记录作品。

3. "The Signature of All Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert

伊丽莎白·吉尔伯特著《万物的签名》

Gilbert took over a decade to write an award-winning novel of love, science, and the lure of knowledge. A winter-born ugly duckling child named Alma is born in Philadelphia to a wealthy titan who made his fortune on exotic plants. As Alma becomes dissatisfied with unfulfilling social life and fascinated with her own internal contradictions, she begins a tour of exotic locations to discover that the plant world can speak to the world of humans.

吉尔伯特花费十余年时间写就了这部优秀的小说，其主题关乎爱、科学及知识的魅力。冬季出生于费城的小孩阿尔玛相貌丑陋、平庸无奇，她的父亲是靠珍稀植物发家的大富豪。渐渐地，阿尔玛对不愉快的社交生活感到失望，而沉迷于自己内心的矛盾。这时，她开始了探访奇异地域之旅，发现植物世界和人类世界是相通的。

4. "Citizens of London" by Lynne Olson

琳内·奥尔森著《伦敦公民》

If you've ever wondered about Winston Churchill's inner circle, this 2010 Amazon Best Book of the Month will reveal the bold souls who forged an Anglo-American alliance before the public came on board.

如果你想了解温斯顿·丘吉尔周围的核心人物，这本2010年亚马逊月度最佳图书将向你展现一个个无畏的灵魂，就是他们在大众参战之前就铸造了坚强的英美同盟。

5. "A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth

维克拉姆·赛斯著《合适郎君》

In 1950's India, it is most important that a lovely Indian girl have an arranged marriage with an impressive groom. This novel of magical realism weaves together the lives of four families, and has been described as a Dickensian work meant for 20th Century readers.

在20世纪50年代的印度，对一位可爱的印度女孩来说，人生最重要之事莫过于通过包办婚姻嫁给一位优秀的郎君。这部魔幻现实主义小说将四个家庭的生活交织在一起，被评为20世纪的狄更斯式作品。

6. "Our Divided Political Heart" by E. J. Dionne

E·J·迪翁著《我们分裂的政治之心》

Q：What are the best books about Washington, D.C.? Is there one book you'd recommend to someone planning to move to or work in the capital?

提问：有关华盛顿市的最好的书是什么?有没有一本书你想推荐给打算移居首都或者来此工作的人?- from interview to The New York Times

Hillary:"Our Divided Political Heart," by E.J. Dionne, shows how most everybody has some conservative and liberal impulses, but just as individuals have to reconcile them within ourselves, so does our political system if we expect to function productively.

希拉里：E·J·迪翁的《我们分裂的政治之心》，这本书展现了大多数人是怎样同时怀有保守的想法和自由的冲动的。但是正如个体不得不在内心对二者进行平衡，如果我们期望政治系统高效运行，也需要一样的平衡。——摘自《纽约时报》采访

What is truly the soul of America – a rugged individualism or a balance of individual and communalstrengths? From former President Bill Clinton to Hendrik Hertzberg and Rachel Maddow, Dionne has stolen our divided American hearts.

什么才是真正的美国之魂——坚定的个人主义，还是个人与集体力量的平衡?从前总统比尔·克林顿，到享德里克·赫兹伯格，再到瑞秋·麦道，迪翁已经偷走了我们分裂的美国之心。

7. "After the Music Stopped" by Alan S. Blinder

艾伦·S·布林德著《当音乐停止之后》

"After the Music Stopped," Alan Blinder's account of the financial crisis, is clear in its analysis and recommendations."- from interview to The New York Times

“艾伦·布林德在《当音乐停止之后》一书中记录了金融危机，无论是逻辑分析还是建议策略都写得清晰明了。”——摘自《纽约时报》采访

The positive aftermath of the 2007 financial crisis, or credit crunch, was to show the fragility andinterconnected threads binding global governments and businesses together. This book explains complex and world-affecting financial trends such as Quantitative Easing without requiring its readers to become professors of economics or history.

2007年金融危机后的巨大余波，或者“信贷紧缩”，展现了将全球政府与商业捆绑在一起的丝线是何等脆弱而又错综复杂。这本书解释了很多像“量化宽松”这样复杂且能影响全世界的金融趋势，却不要求读者变成经济或历史方面的教授。

8. "The Color Purple" By Alice Walker

艾丽斯·沃克著《紫颜色》

"Alice Walker tackles some of society's most vexing issues—race, gender and violence—through amemorable protagonist named Celie. The story of her growing up as a victim of abuse, and her ongoing journey of self-discovery, is a brutally honest assessment of human nature at its best and worst."- Hillary Clinton for The Oprah Magazine

“艾丽斯·沃克触及到了一些社会上最恼人的问题——种族、性别和暴力，而这一切是通过令人难忘的主角茜莉的视角写出来的。作为一位受虐者，她的成长 故事 以及不断进行的自我探索之旅，赤裸裸地展现了人性最好的一面和最恶的一面。”——摘自《奥普拉杂志》中希拉里·克林顿的话

For a book titled after a royal color, there seems to be no hint of greatness or glamor about Celie's life. Celie and Nettie’s struggle to live as worthwhile human beings in a world that tries to reject them, andforge a future, is inspirational.

虽然该书以一种尊贵的颜色命名，书中茜莉的生活却没有一丝伟大或荣耀之处。茜莉和南蒂在一个企图拒绝她们的世界中奋力挣扎，努力活成有价值的人，并开创美好的未来，这是非常鼓舞人心的。

9. "Little Women" By Louisa May Alcott

路易莎·梅·奥尔科特著《小妇人》

"Like many women of my generation who read this novel growing up, I felt like I lived in Jo's family. This book was one of the first literary explorations of how women balance the demands of their daily lives, from raising families to pursuing outside goals. The book was written more than a century ago, but its message resonates today."- Hillary Clinton for The Oprah Magazine

“正如我们这一代许多读着这本小说长大的女孩一样，我感觉自己就像生活在乔的家中。这也是最早用文学解释女人该如何平衡日常生活各种工作的一本书，从养家糊口到追求外在目标。这本书写于100多年前，但书中传达的信息依然在今天回响。”——摘自《奥普拉杂志》中希拉里·克林顿的话

The adventures of Meg, Amy, and Beth were inspired by Alcott's real-life sisters; one married a fellow play-actor, one died of scarlet fever, and one showed her paintings at the Paris Salon. The result of their literary sister’s efforts has been made into countless plays and films, and even a ballet.

麦格、艾米和贝思的故事灵感来自奥尔科特姐妹的真实生活;一位嫁给了戏剧演员同伴，一位死于猩红热，一位在巴黎沙龙开画展。这群文学姐妹的努力生活已被改编成数不清的戏剧、电影，甚至还有一部芭蕾剧。

10. "The Clan of the Cave Bear" By Jean M. Auel

琼·M·奥尔著《洞熊家族》

"This novel about life in prehistoric times is a rich blend of imagination and information about everything from plants that were used for medicine to the rituals and taboos of Neanderthal man. It is also about Ayla, a little girl who is orphaned when her parents are killed in an earthquake. Maybebecause I'm a mother, I was very moved by the story of her survival and growing up."- Hillary Clinton for The Oprah Magazine

“这部描写史前生活的小说既蕴含了丰富的想象，又提供了各种信息，从药用植物到尼安德特人的仪式和禁忌。主人公小女孩艾拉是一位在地震中失去双亲的孤儿，也许因为我是母亲的缘故，艾拉的生存和成长故事深深地打动了我。”——摘自《奥普拉杂志》中希拉里·克林顿的话

This novel could be termed 'Ayla and the Ice Age', since these are the primary protagonists of the story of disaster and survival. This is the first novel in a five-part Earth Children series.

这部小说也可以被称为“艾拉与冰河时代”，因为它讲述的是原始人与灾难抗争以求得生存的故事。这是“地球之子五部曲”中的第一部小说。

11. "West with the Night" By Beryl Markham

柏瑞尔 ·马卡姆著《夜航西飞》

"I can't get over the amount of daring, courage, self-confidence and determination it took to accomplish what Beryl Markham did in 1936, when she became the first person to fly solo, east to west across the Atlantic Ocean. This is a beautifully written life story of one of the greatest woman adventurers of all time, from her growing up in sub-Saharan Africa to her exploits as a pilot."- Hillary Clinton for The Oprah Magazine

“我深深地沉迷于柏瑞尔·马卡姆身上表现出的大胆、勇气、自信与决心，1936年，她凭借这些成为独自自东向西飞跃大西洋的第一人。这是一本文笔优美的书，主人公是有史以来最伟大的女探险家之一，从她在黑非洲的成长经历一直写到她成为飞行员后取得的成绩。”——摘自《奥普拉杂志》中希拉里·克林顿的话

First written in 1942, the 2010 reprint has captured the timeless appeal of man versus nature…only in this case, the plane-flying daredevil is female. Though Markham eventually spent her years as a horse trainer in Kenya, in her younger years, she became famous as the first female to fly nonstop across the Atlantic. Her courage would do credit to Ernest Hemingway's determination to face internal fears; she met him on safari.

这本书最早作于1942年， 2010年重印版本中捕捉到了不会因时间流逝而褪色的人与自然对抗的无穷魅力……只是这一回，无畏的飞行员是一位女性。尽管马卡姆最终在肯尼亚作了数年驯马师，但在她年轻的时候，她还是因成为第一位不间断飞越大西洋的女性而闻名于世。她的勇气要归功于厄内斯特·海明威面对内心恐惧的决心;她曾在非洲游猎中遇到他。

大学英语文章阅读2

4种 方法 让迷失彷徨的你找到方向

We all get confused at times, but prolonged periods of confusion can cause us to feel that we are stuck in a never-ending, foggy web of uncertainty.

人人都有迷失之时，但过久地陷于其中只能让我们觉得被困在迷茫无尽的不确定中。

To those who are currently caught up in the web of confusion, this may not make sense just yet, but stick with me.

对于正陷于困惑中的人，这些建议可能暂时不奏效，不过请坚持下去。

Here is what you can do to overcome your confusion and find the joy:

以下就是攻克迷茫、找到快乐的方法：

1. Accept where you are.

1、接受自己

Accept the fog, accept the confusion and accept the feelings of "stuckness." This is usually a sign that more information needs to be delivered before you can move forward.

接受迷茫、困惑，接受这种陷于其中的状态。这通常是一个信号，说明你需要获得更多的信息来走出去。

2. Take a deep breath.

2、深呼吸

Center yourself, and firmly state, "I don't know what to do, and that is okay." When you firmly state your uncertainty, you move out of the fog. The more you focus on your certainty, the more at peace you will feel with where you are at.

集中精神，坚定地说：“我知道该怎么做，这是对的。”当你坚定地讲出你的不确定，便能走出迷茫。你越是关注你所确信的东西，也就对自己的处境感到越平和。

3. Focus on what you know.

3、关注你所了解的

When you are confused it can be easy to get stuck in a web of consistent, repetitive thoughts that appear to have no end and no beginning. To clear this, start focusing on what you know and what you feel sure about. When you do this, it will automatically help to weaken the cloud of confusion over your life.

当你困惑时，很容易陷入持续反复、没头没尾的想法中去。要清除这些想法，就要专注于你所了解的、确信的东西。这有助于逐渐消散你生活中的困惑。

4. Be patient.

4、要有耐心

Being confused is a sign of change and you may need to let the journey unfold a little bit more before you make a decision. Be at peace with that, and be at peace with the fact that you don’t have all the answers. Just accept the way things are and trust that inspiration will reach you when the time comes to make a decision.

困惑也是一种改变信号，也许你需要把眼前的道路看得更清楚一些，才能作出决定。用平常心看待它，也要接受你无法拥有所有的答案。接受万物本来的样子，相信当你做决定时，灵感自然会浮现。

The beauty about being stuck and confused in life is that there really is no wrong turn or wrong path.

人生陷于困惑的美妙之处，就在于没有对错。

Every road traveled is a blessing in some way, so take the stress out of life's decisions and trust that all roads really do lead home.

你走的任何一条路都是一种恩赐，所以不要对人生抉择有过多压力，请相信任何一条路都能带你走向心之所属。

我们不能忘记自己的身份：我们是个位于亚洲的国家。我认为，正在日益显现活力的东亚地区必须被确认为日本的基本生存范围。所以，我们必须持续建立覆盖整个地区且稳定的经济合作和安全框架。很多人从金融危机中认识到，美国单边主义的时代也许会终结。金融危机也使人们对于美元作为关键全球性货币的永久性地位产生了怀疑。我还认为，由于伊拉克战争的失败和金融危机的发生，美国主导的全球主义的时代正走向终结，我们正迈向一个多极化的时代。当前的事态明确表明，中国将成为世界上主要的经济体之一。在不太遥远的未来，中国经济的规模将超过日本。日本夹在美国和中国之间。在这种情况下，日本应如何保持自己的政治和经济独立并保护自己的国家利益呢？这个问题不仅日本关注，而且亚洲的中小国家也关注。它们希望美国的军事力量有效地发挥作用，以维护该地区的稳定，但是也希望约束美国在政治和经济方面的过分行为。现在，不管怎样，超国家的马克思主义和全球主义政治经济哲学的发展已经陷入停滞状态。与此同时，民族主义却再次开始对各种国家产生重大影响。在我们设法建立国际合作的新架构之际，我们必须克服民族主义过度的问题，走以规则为基础的经济合作和安全之路。与欧洲的情况不同，这个地区的国家大小、发展阶段和政治制度各异，因此经济一体化无法在短期内实现。然而，我们应该有迈向区域性货币一体化的追求，使区域性货币一体化作为快速经济增长的自然延伸（快速经济增长始于日本，韩国、台湾和香港紧随其后，后来又在东盟和中国得以实现）。我们必须不遗余力地建立对巩固货币一体化至关重要的永久性安全框架。建立亚洲共同货币可能需要10年以上的时间。这样一种单一货币带来政治一体化所需的时间无疑会更长。东盟、日本、中国（包括香港）、韩国和台湾的国内生产总值目前占世界的1/4。东亚地区的经济实力和该地区内部相互依赖的关系不断扩大和深化。因此，成立区域性经济集团所需要的架构已经存在。另一方面，由于各国的安全利益互相冲突以及存在历史和文化冲突，我们必须认识到，目前存在诸多难以解决的政治问题。军事化增强的问题和领土争端无法通过类似日本和韩国之间或日本和中国之间的双边谈判得到解决。双方对这些问题讨论得越多，情绪被激发、民族主义加剧的风险也就越大。所以我认为，只有迈向程度更大的一体化，阻碍地区一体化的问题才能真正得到解决。欧盟的经历告诉我们，地区一体化能够化解领土争端。我认为，地区一体化和集体安全是我们在实现日本宪法主张的和平主义和多边合作原则方面应该遵循的道路。这也是为保护日本的政治和经济独立、在身处美中之间的情况下追求我们利益应该遵循的适当道路。

很多人从金融危机中认识到，美国单边主义的时代也许会终结。金融危机也使人们对于美元作为关键全球性货币的永久性地位产生了怀疑。我还认为，由于伊拉克战争的失败和金融危机的发生，美国主导的全球主义的时代正走向终结，我们正迈向一个多极化的时代。当前的事态明确表明，中国将成为世界上主要的经济体之一。在不太遥远的未来，中国经济的规模将超过日本。日本夹在美国和中国之间。在这种情况下，日本应如何保持自己的政治和经济独立并保护自己的国家利益呢？这个问题不仅日本关注，而且亚洲的中小国家也关注。它们希望美国的军事力量有效地发挥作用，以维护该地区的稳定，但是也希望约束美国在政治和经济方面的过分行为。现在，不管怎样，超国家的马克思主义和全球主义政治经济哲学的发展已经陷入停滞状态。与此同时，民族主义却再次开始对各种国家产生重大影响。在我们设法建立国际合作的新架构之际，我们必须克服民族主义过度的问题，走以规则为基础的经济合作和安全之路。与欧洲的情况不同，这个地区的国家大小、发展阶段和政治制度各异，因此经济一体化无法在短期内实现。然而，我们应该有迈向区域性货币一体化的追求，使区域性货币一体化作为快速经济增长的自然延伸（快速经济增长始于日本，韩国、台湾和香港紧随其后，后来又在东盟和中国得以实现）。我们必须不遗余力地建立对巩固货币一体化至关重要的永久性安全框架。建立亚洲共同货币可能需要10年以上的时间。这样一种单一货币带来政治一体化所需的时间无疑会更长。东盟、日本、中国（包括香港）、韩国和台湾的国内生产总值目前占世界的1/4。东亚地区的经济实力和该地区内部相互依赖的关系不断扩大和深化。因此，成立区域性经济集团所需要的架构已经存在。另一方面，由于各国的安全利益互相冲突以及存在历史和文化冲突，我们必须认识到，目前存在诸多难以解决的政治问题。军事化增强的问题和领土争端无法通过类似日本和韩国之间或日本和中国之间的双边谈判得到解决。双方对这些问题讨论得越多，情绪被激发、民族主义加剧的风险也就越大。所以我认为，只有迈向程度更大的一体化，阻碍地区一体化的问题才能真正得到解决。欧盟的经历告诉我们，地区一体化能够化解领土争端。我认为，地区一体化和集体安全是我们在实现日本宪法主张的和平主义和多边合作原则方面应该遵循的道路。这也是为保护日本的政治和经济独立、在身处美中之间的情况下追求我们利益应该遵循的适当道路。（编辑：陶志彭）A New Path for JapanBy YUKIO HATOYAMAPublished: August 26, 2009TOKYO — In the post-Cold War period, Japan has been continually buffeted by the winds of market fundamentalism in a U.S.-led movement that is more usually called globalization. In the fundamentalist pursuit of capitalism people are treated not as an end but as a means. Consequently, human dignity is lost.How can we put an end to unrestrained market fundamentalism and financial capitalism, that are void of morals or moderation, in order to protect the finances and livelihoods of our citizens? That is the issue we are now facing.In these times, we must return to the idea of fraternity — as in the French slogan “liberté, égalité, fraternité” — as a force for moderating the danger inherent within freedom.Fraternity as I mean it can be described as a principle that aims to adjust to the excesses of the current globalized brand of capitalism and accommodate the local economic practices that have been fostered through our traditions.The recent economic crisis resulted from a way of thinking based on the idea that American-style free-market economics represents a universal and ideal economic order, and that all countries should modify the traditions and regulations governing their economies in line with global (or rather American) standards.In Japan, opinion was divided on how far the trend toward globalization should go. Some advocated the active embrace of globalism and leaving everything up to the dictates of the market. Others favored a more reticent approach, believing that efforts should be made to expand the social safety net and protect our traditional economic activities. Since the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (2001-2006), the Liberal Democratic Party has stressed the former, while we in the Democratic Party of Japan have tended toward the latter position.The economic order in any country is built up over long years and reflects the influence of traditions, habits and national lifestyles. But globalism has progressed without any regard for non-economic values, or for environmental issues or problems of resource restriction.If we look back on the changes in Japanese society since the end of the Cold War, I believe it is no exaggeration to say that the global economy has damaged traditional economic activities and destroyed local communities.In terms of market theory, people are simply personnel expenses. But in the real world people support the fabric of the local community and are the physical embodiment of its lifestyle, traditions and culture. An individual gains respect as a person by acquiring a job and a role within the local community and being able to maintain his family’s livelihood.Under the principle of fraternity, we would not implement policies that leave areas relating to human lives and safety — such as agriculture, the environment and medicine — to the mercy of globalism.Our responsibility as politicians is to refocus our attention on those non-economic values that have been thrown aside by the march of globalism. We must work on policies that regenerate the ties that bring people together, that take greater account of nature and the environment, that rebuild welfare and medical systems, that provide better education and child-rearing support, and that address wealth disparities.Another national goal that emerges from the concept of fraternity is the creation of an East Asian community. Of course, the Japan-U.S. security pact will continue to be the cornerstone of Japanese diplomatic policy.But at the same time, we must not forget our identity as a nation located in Asia. I believe that the East Asian region, which is showing increasing vitality, must be recognized as Japan’s basic sphere of being. So we must continue to build frameworks for stable economic cooperation and security across the region.The financial crisis has suggested to many that the era of U.S. unilateralism may come to an end. It has also raised doubts about the permanence of the dollar as the key global currency.I also feel that as a result of the failure of the Iraq war and the financial crisis, the era of U.S.-led globalism is coming to an end and that we are moving toward an era of multipolarity. But at present no one country is ready to replace the United States as the dominant country. Nor is there a currency ready to replace the dollar as the world’s key currency. Although the influence of the U.S. is declining, it will remain the world’s leading military and economic power for the next two to three decades.Current developments show clearly that China will become one of the world’s leading economic nations while also continuing to expand its military power. The size of China’s economy will surpass that of Japan in the not-too-distant future.How should Japan maintain its political and economic independence and protect its national interest when caught between the United States, which is fighting to retain its position as the world’s dominant power, and China, which is seeking ways to become dominant?This is a question of concern not only to Japan but also to the small and medium-sized nations in Asia. They want the military power of the U.S. to function effectively for the stability of the region but want to restrain U.S. political and economic excesses. They also want to reduce the military threat posed by our neighbor China while ensuring that China’s expanding economy develops in an orderly fashion. These are major factors accelerating regional integration.Today, as the supranational political and economic philosophies of Marxism and globalism have, for better or for worse, stagnated, nationalism is once again starting to have a major influence in various countries.As we seek to build new structures for international cooperation, we must overcome excessive nationalism and go down a path toward rule-based economic cooperation and security.Unlike Europe, the countries of this region differ in size, development stage and political system, so economic integration cannot be achieved over the short term. However, we should nonetheless aspire to move toward regional currency integration as a natural extension of the rapid economic growth begun by Japan, followed by South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and then achieved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China. We must spare no effort to build the permanent security frameworks essential to underpinning currency integration.Establishing a common Asian currency will likely take more than 10 years. For such a single currency to bring about political integration will surely take longer still.ASEAN, Japan, China (including Hong Kong), South Korea and Taiwan now account for one quarter of the world’s gross domestic product. The economic power of the East Asian region and the interdependent relationships within the region have grown wider and deeper. So the structures required for the formation of a regional economic bloc are already in place.On the other hand, due to historical and cultural conflicts as well as conflicting national security interests, we must recognize that there are numerous difficult political issues. The problems of increased militarization and territorial disputes cannot be resolved by bilateral negotiations between, for example, Japan and South Korea, or Japan and China. The more these problems are discussed bilaterally, the greater the risk that emotions become inflamed and nationalism intensified.Therefore, I would suggest, somewhat paradoxically, that the issues that stand in the way of regional integration can only be truly resolved by moving toward greater integration. The experience of the E.U. shows us how regional integration can defuse territorial disputes.I believe that regional integration and collective security is the path we should follow toward realizing the principles of pacifism and multilateral cooperation advocated by the Japanese Constitution. It is also the appropriate path for protecting Japan’s political and economic independence and pursuing our interests in our position between the United States and China.Let me conclude by quoting the words of Count Coudenhove-Kalergi, founder of the first popular movement for a united Europe, written 85 years ago in “Pan-Europa” (my grandfather, Ichiro Hatoyama, translated his book, “The Totalitarian State Against Man,” into Japanese): “All great historical ideas started as a utopian dream and ended with reality. Whether a particular idea remains as a utopian dream or becomes a reality depends on the number of people who believe in the ideal and their ability to act upon it.”