论西方古代国家定义的演进

On the Evolution of Definition of State in Ancient Time in the West

以柏拉图、西塞罗、奥古斯丁为重要坐标,描述三位思想家在西方古代国家定义上的承继关系。柏拉图讨论了国家的起源和其他方面,但没有给出国家定义。西塞罗创造性地提出了自己的国家定义,他的定义有三个特征:以人民为前提,以正义为准则,以合法为本性。奥古斯丁吸取了西塞罗定义的基本框架,从定义人民入手界定国家,用神的正义替换西塞罗的自然正义,从而完成了他自己的国家定义,为批判希腊罗马社会、构建基督教的理想社会奠定了理论基石。

This paper takes Plato, Cicero and St. Augustine as important poles, to describe continues relation of the three in the definition of state in ancient time of the West. This paper believes that Plato discusses the origin of the state and other things, but never supplies any definition of state. Cicero created his own definition of state with three features taking people as premise, taking justice as norm, taking legalism as nature of state. Augustine assimilated the basic frame of Cicero＇s definition, defining the people first, then the state. He replaced Cicero＇s natural right with justice of God to complete his own definition of state, laying a theoretical basis for his work to criticize Greek Roman society and to construct an ideal Christian society.