对契约自由及其限制的理性思考

Reflections on Freedom of Contract and its Limitation

契约自由是私法的基本原则。在自由资本主义时期,将契约自由绝对化,因其带来了一系列严峻的社会问题,各国采取措施对其加以限制。但这并不意味着“契约的衰落或死亡”,相反是契约法理论在新的历史时期的丰富与发展。契约自由是合同法的基石和灵魂,同时,必须辅之以适当的限制、适度的国家干预。但是,国家干预从本质上说只能是手段而不是目的,如果忽视市场对于资源配置的基础性调节作用,忽视对自然人、法人作为市场经济主体的主体意识和自由意志的尊重,把政府调控的手段目的化、政府调控的功能绝对化、政府调控的形式随意化,则必然导致我国社会主义市场经济发展方向的扭曲。

Freedom of contract is the basic principle of private law. In times of free capitalism, the absohtist view of freedom of contract caused a train of serious social problems. Therefore, measures were taken in different countries to limit it. However, this does not necessarily mean ＂the decline and demise of contract＂, but rather it is the development and perfection of contract theory in a new period. Freedom of contract is the base and spirit of Contract Law, subjecting to appropriate limits and control of the state. Therefore, control of the state is the essential means rather than purpose. Furthermore, if we ignore the fundamental function of market to distribute resources, if we do not-respect the subjects of market and their free will, and if we regard the control of the state as purpose, the regulatory function of government as absolute, the distortion of the development of our socialist market economy will result in.