中世纪英国多元权力社会结构与间接民主起源

The structure of pluralistic power of England in medieval times and the origin of mediate democracy

民主是一个古老的政治理想,且有直接民主和间接民主(代议制民主)之分,前者源于古希腊、罗马的城邦,后者则源于西欧中世纪多元的社会权力结构。在中世纪的英国,社会权力呈现出多元的结构,权力的四极——国王、封建主、教会、城市相互掣肘,这就为下层民众的崛起创造了生存空间。富裕农民——乡绅逐渐崛起,到了中世纪后期、现代早期,他们控制了议会下院,并运用法律武器同国王和上院进行抗争。间接民主在多元权力结构的西欧萌芽并开始成长。

Demoneracy is divided into direct democracy and indirect one. The former is originated from the city- state of ancient Greece and Rome while the latter had a close relationship with Middle Ages. At that time, the society of England had a structure of pluralistic power. The King, lords, churches, and cities were respectively the four polars of the power. They not only kept touch with each other, but also imped- ed with each other, which made a living condition for the people in the lowe~ strata of the society. With the increasing of their wealth and the rise of their social status, they took control of the Commons and made a stand with the King.