论法律的形式合理性

On the Formal Rationality of Law

法律的形式合理性理论是西方法治文明的产物,它通过研究法律外在的、理性的品质———形式合理性来理解法律现象。法律的形式合理性的基本特征表现为以下几个方面:法律的自治,法律必须具有公开性和稳定性,法律的制定和实施需要严格的现代程序,法律的专业化程度的不断提高及法律人员的科层化。从法律的形式合理性的基本特征中可以看出其反映出的一种工具主义与理性主义的价值取向,它显然表明了法律的理性化程度的提高,因此,这种理论必然会为法治进步带来不可低估的作用,但其暴露出来的局限性也使法治面临新的挑战。

The theory of formal rationality of law is the product of Western constitutionality.It provides an understanding of the legal phenomena by studying the formal rationality of law which belongs to the external and rational attribute of law.In order to analyse the formal rationality of law in theory,the article discusses how the formal rational law comes into existence and describes the basic characteristics of formal rationality of law.Then,through investigating the relationship between the formalrationality of law and the legal practice associated with the rule by law, the article elucidates the meaning of the theory of formal rationality of law applied to the rule by law and points out the defects of formal rationality of law according to the requirements of rule by law.