まだ全文を読んでいないのだが、２７日付けのニューヨーク・タイムズに掲載されている鳩山由紀夫氏の寄稿文は日本ばかりでなく、アジア全体、また世界的にも画期的であるかもしれない。親米国日本の次期首相と目される人物が米国主導の市場原理主義を真っ向から非難しているのだ。その言葉は辛辣そのもの。「モラルあるいは節度のない、飽くことなき市場原理主義および金融資本主義（unrestrained market fundamentalism and financial capitalism that are void of morals or moderation）」。

俺が知る限り、そもそも「fundamentalism」という言葉自体、一般にはイスラム教徒の関連でよく出てくる、けっこう侮蔑的な言葉で、このような「market fundamentalism」という言葉が主流紙に、鳩山氏のような人物を通じ出てくること自体がきわめて珍しい。

以下に、鳩山氏の寄稿文全文を掲載しておく。

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August 27, 2009
Op-Ed Contributor
A New Path for Japan（日本の新しい進路）
By YUKIO HATOYAMA

TOKYO 〓 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 “liberte, egalite, fraternite” 〓 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.