中国宪法中的不成文宪法--理解中国宪法的新视角

本文从中国宪法文本与宪政实践之间的背离问题入手,提出了从不成文宪法的角度来理解中国宪政秩序的新思路。基于对英美宪法学说与宪政实践的分析,作者区分了古典的政制与现代的宪法律、政治宪法与法院宪法,进而主张任何国家的宪政运作实际上都依赖不成文宪法,从而奠定不成文宪法的法理学基础。在此基础上,文章选择中国宪法中关于国家建构中四个关键性问题,着重探讨中国不成文宪法的四个主要渊源,即成文宪章、宪法惯例、宪法学说及宪法性法律,并呼吁宪法学应当从中国现实的宪政生活中提炼具有普遍意义的宪政原理和制度。

The article analyzes the departure of Chinese constitutional practice from its constitutional provisions, and emphasizes the significance of unwritten constitution in understanding the Chinese constitutional order. Furthermore, by discussing British and American constitutional theories and practices, it analyzes the evolving processes from a substantial unwritten constitution to a formalistic codified constitution; from ancient constitution to modern constitutional law; and from political constitution to judicial constitution. The author argues that constitutional operation has always to depend upon ＂unwritten constitution＂. Selecting four important constitutional issues, the author explores four sources of China＇s unwritten constitution - the party＇s constitution, constitutional conventions, constitutional doctrine, and constitutional statutes - and calls for taking into account China＇s unique political tradition and reality to enrich current constitutional scholarship.