Ecological Crisis Transfer And American Utilitarian Tradition

In the twentieth century, the ecological deterioration has brought the human being great sufferings, which leads to more attention to the ecological protection around the world. The global ecological protection thus gets improved a lot. But there is still a long way to go in accordance with the program of global sustainable development, because the ecological destruction remains severe and common in many countries, the developing countries in particular. In the global ecological protection, the United States seems to take the lead while criticizing the ignorance and irresponsibility of the other countries, especially the developing countries, in protecting the ecological environment. Is this the truth? Does the United States really take an active part in the global ecological protection? Can it be honored to be a model? Actually, what the United States advocates is the selfish responsibility for its domestic sustainable development. To ensure the mutual development of ecology and economy, the latter first and foremost, it adopts a utilitarian policy, namely ecological crisis transfer, to be the response to its domestic sustainable development.On the basis of this background, this thesis attempts to find out the cultural identity of ecological crisis transfer, that is, American utilitarian tradition, so as to bring to light the truth of American pseudo ecological policy and uncover its ineffectuality.This thesis first displays the history of American ecological protection. While presenting the achievements, it attaches more importance to the imperfections in the ecological thinking and practice that are guided by the principle of economy-and-America-first and ecology-and-globe-second.Then, the thesis shifts to sort out the cultural identity of ecological crisis transfer—American utilitarian tradition. Concerning the relationship between culture and nature, it traces the root of American utilitarian tradition—European utilitarianism characterized by economy-first practice and depicts American utilitarian tradition in details.Later, the thesis argues the futility of the ecological crisis transfer in ensuring American ecological protection and its economic development. Analyzing the direct and indirect forms of ecological crisis transfer, it describes the direct ecological consequences and the indirect economic consequences and offers some advice to the developing countries on how to cope with American ecological crisis transfer.