论“吏民”即编户齐民——原“吏民”之三

Studies of Limin(Ⅲ):On its Social Attribute

从户籍制度而言,“吏民”是国家的编户齐民。通常所谓的“编户齐民”,其内涵实际上主要就是指“吏民”。作为国家编户齐民,在理论上其身份地位是平等的,表现在经济、政治、文化等各个方面享有同样的权利和义务：经济上均有“名田”的权利和从“本”去“末”的义务,均有承担或被减免赋税、徭役等义务和权利;政治上均有上书言事和被察举征辟等权利;文化上均有入学受教育等权利,这既是文化上的权利,也是政治上平等权利的一种体现。虽然“吏民”作为国家编户齐民在法理上其经济、政治、文化地位是平等的,但是实际上他们之间经济上的贫富悬殊、政治上的地位高低以及由此决定的文化上的差异都是普遍现象,编户齐民并非以贫富和阶级为区分的。

Limin(吏民)was the free men in the household registration framework of the country,while the so-called free men was virtually Limin.Free men were theoretically equal in identity and status,which referred to the equality in economic,political,cultural sectors and corresponding obligations.They enjoyed rights of land possession, shouldering or exemption from land tax and corvee in economy.Free men could also petition the rulers for their legal rights,and be elected as officials and educated in culture.But in fact it's common for us to see their polarization in wealth,political status and cultural background.Free men,therefore,were not discriminated by wealth or class.