“公共利益”之界定

Definition of Public Interest

"公共利益"是当代各国宪法和法律中常见的概念,我国宪法第二十条和第二十二条修正案分别规定了:"国家为了公共利益的需要,可以依照法律规定对土地实行征收或者征用并给予补偿。""公民的合法的私有财产不受侵犯。""国家依照法律规定保护公民的私有财产权和继承权。""国家为了公共利益的需要,可以依照法律规定对公民的私有财产实行征收或者征用并给予补偿。"但我国宪法和相关法律并没有对"公共利益"作出解释;理论界至今也没有完整而权威的界定,甚至在国际公法学界也找不到精准的诠释,造成实践中"公共利益"的滥用。通过综述各种有代表性的研究成果,可以找出其中共性的结论,为描述我国宪法条文中的"公共利益"含义,以及限制其随意使用提供借鉴和佐证具有重要意义。

＂Public interest＂ is a common concept in contemporary constitutions and laws of every country. The 20^th and the 22nd clauses in the Amendment of China＇ s Constitution stipulate respectively ＂For the need of pubhc interest, the State may levy or requisition land by law and give some compensation.＂ ＂The citizen＇ s legitimate private property is free from infringement. ＂ ＂ Abiding by law, the State protects the citizen＇s private property rights and the right of inheritance.＂ ＂For the need of public interest, the State may, abiding by legal regulations, levy or requisition the citizen＇s private property by giving some compensation.＂ But China＇ s constitution and relevant laws have not made explanation to ＂the public interest＂, and the theoretical circle has not yet given it a complete and authoritative definition. There is not even an accurate annotation in the academic circle on international public law, Thus, the ＂pubhc interest＂ is abused in practice. By summarizing various typical research results, a conclusion of overall character can be found out to describe the significations of ＂public interest＂ in China＇ s constitution articles, which is of important significance in limiting its abuse by offering reference and evidences.