二战前的战争阴云在时隔大半个世纪后重新积聚在人们的心头。在纪念欧洲胜利日（VE Day）的演讲 中，德国总统弗兰克-瓦尔特·施泰因迈尔（Frank-Walter Steinmeier）阐述了欧洲必须为战争做好准备的 双重必要性，他指出俄乌冲突摧毁了欧洲的安全秩序，其帝国主义幻想将乌克兰战争与"伟大卫国战 争"相提并论。他接着指出，就连为建立并塑造这一秩序做出巨大贡献的美国也背弃了它，这是一种前 所未有的冲击。他认为这是双重时代转折——俄乌冲突与美国背离其价值观——标志着漫长的二十世纪 的终结（帕特里克·温图尔《我们是否正走向第三次世界大战，还是说它已经开始了？》 https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20250510）。现在又过了几个月，即将离去的2025年正以美国2025 国家安全 战略 （NSS 2025）的出炉、俄乌冲突的继续胶着和多方轮换的谈判会议上的风云诡谲以及加沙地区人 道悲剧的无声延续而打上句号。 在这样的现实背景中，阅读有关二战历史的著作显然有了某种不一般的感觉，似乎历史的后见之明指向 了今天的世界。英国历史学家基思·罗威（Keith Lowe）的《恐惧与自由：第二次世界大战如 ...

Core Viewpoint - The book "The Ruble: A Political History (1769-1924)" by Ekaterina Plavilova fills a gap in the literature regarding the history of the ruble, highlighting its unique influence in the commodity exchange system despite Russia not being a dominant financial power today [1][8]. Group 1: Historical Context of the Ruble - The first paper ruble was issued in 1769, marking a significant moment in Russian financial history, with its issuance tied to military campaigns and political messaging [3][4]. - The issuance of the ruble sparked debates among Russian officials about the nature of currency and the responsibilities of the monarchy, reflecting the political and economic challenges of the time [4][6]. - The ruble's evolution was influenced by various reforms and international relations, particularly with Poland and the Ottoman Empire, showcasing its role in Russia's imperial ambitions [5][6]. Group 2: Economic Reforms and Political Implications - The book discusses how the ruble was used as a tool for reform and expansion, with significant figures like Sergei Witte advocating for monetary policies that supported imperial goals [6][7]. - The transition to a gold standard was seen as a means to stabilize the ruble and attract foreign investment, although it also tied the currency's value closely to Russia's political stability [6][7]. - The impact of major historical events, such as the Russo-Japanese War and World War I, led to the eventual decline of the gold ruble, illustrating the interplay between currency and national crises [7][8]. Group 3: Contemporary Relevance - The ruble's current status is shaped by its unique position in the global commodity exchange system, maintaining its influence despite economic sanctions and geopolitical tensions [1][8]. - The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has highlighted the ruble's volatility and its responses to international political dynamics, including attempts to internationalize the currency [9]. - The book encourages readers to explore the historical lessons of the ruble in relation to contemporary issues, such as the impact of political changes on currency stability and national development [8][9].