论中国古典政法传统

古典政法传统是秦汉以来中国政治法律领域形成的一整套相对稳定的意识形态、制度安排和治理实践。"政""法"关系是古代政治家、思想家思考治国问题的重大主题,产生了一系列独具特色的理论认识。广义上的"政""法"关系,表现为政必有法、为政以法、法依政行、政法同构、政法互动。狭义上的"政""法"关系,即"政""刑"关系,表现为政刑一体、政主刑辅、政先刑后、政刑互补。历经长期的演进,古典政法传统形成了多元一体的政法场域、太平盛世的政法理想、统分结合的权力构架、互动互塑的政社关系、综合施治的治理模式、奉法循理的官吏队伍等基本样态。古典政法传统蕴含的民为邦本、天下太平、变法图强、综合为治、防患未然、情理法融合等思想值得今人借鉴。

The Ancient Political-legal Tradition of China

The ancient political-legal tradition is a set of stable ideology,institutional arrangement and governing practice formed in the field of politics and law since the Qin and Han Dynasties.The relationship between“politics”(政)and“law”(法)was a major theme for ancient politicians and thinkers to reflect upon the issue of governance,and it has produced a series of unique theoretical understandings.In a broad sense,the relationship between“politics”(政)and“law”(法)was manifested in governance with necessary laws,governance according to laws,the implementation of laws by political subjects,the political system and the legal system with the same structure,and interaction between governance and laws.In the narrow sense,the relationship between“politics”(政)and“law”(法)means the relationship between“politics”(政)and“punishment”(刑)and includes integrated relationship,primary and secondary relationship,sequential relationship and complementary relationship.Basic contents of the ancient political-legal tradition include the diversified and integrated political-legal field,the idea of pursuing a peaceful and flourishing age,the power structure of combining unification and division,the interactive relationship between government and society,the mode of comprehensive governance,and the group of law-abiding officials.The ideas contained in the ancient political-legal tradition such as putting people first,perusing peace,reforming for prosperity,adopting comprehensive governance,preventing disputes,and taking account of reason and law still worth being learned from today.