rationale指的是达到一个决定、结论所做的推理过程,包括作为出发点的假设及所用的证据和逻辑步骤.
例如:
TheRationaleofPrivatization
Itshouldbeclearnowwhytheinstitutionofpublicpropertyisdysfunctional.Institutionsandthenormsunderlyingthemaresupposedtohelpavoidconflict.Buttheinstitutionof"public"property—of"public"streets—createsandincreasesconflict.Forthepurposeofconflictavoidance(ofpeacefulhumancooperation),then,publicpropertymustgo.Allpublicpropertymustbecomeprivateproperty.
这是别人论文中的一小段.这段之前之后他还讲了为什么公共财产会引起矛盾,为什么私有财产就不会引起矛盾.把这些证据和论点结合起来,就是rationale.
例二
TherationalefortheIraqwar
TheprimaryrationalizationfortheIraqWarwasarticulatedbyajointresolutionoftheU.S.CongressknownastheIraqResolution.TheU.S.statedthattheintentwastoremove"aregimethatdevelopedandusedweaponsofmassdestruction,thatharboredandsupportedterrorists,committedoutrageoushumanrightsabuses,anddefiedthejustdemandsoftheUnitedNationsandtheworld".Additionalreasonshavebeensuggested:"tochangetheMiddleEastsoastodenysupportformilitantIslambypressuringortransformingthenationsandtransnationalsystemsthatsupportit."FortheinvasionofIraqtherationalewas"theUnitedStatesreliedontheauthorityofUNSecurityCouncilResolutions678and687touseallnecessarymeanstocompelIraqtocomplywithitsinternationalobligations".
以上抄自英文维基.这个rationale,先给了道德依据,然后给了政治动机,最后给了法理依据.
