美国司法能动主义评析

An Analysis of the Judicial Activism of America

关于司法能动主义概念的界定涉及一个核心问题,即司法权在宪政体系中的恰当角色的问题。司法能动主义者主张活的宪法理念,即宪法解释不能执行原初意图的妄想,法官需要平衡政治利益,衡量必要性和权宜之计,务实地调整宪法以适应现代生活。尽管施行能动主义的法院做出了许多有益的判决,推动了社会进步,但是其破坏民主政治与三权分立原则的风险值得警醒。能动与克制之间的平衡才是宪政体系中的法院行使司法审查权时的理性选择。

The definition of judicial activism is related to a core issue,that is,the proper role of judicial power in the constitutional government system.Advocates of judicial activism insist on the notion of the living Constitution,which means that constitutional interpretation could not effectuate the original intent,and so judges should balance political interests,weigh the relevant necessity and expedience,and pragmatically adjust the Constitution to modern times.Although activist courts have made some good results and promoted social development,the peril of the destruction of democracy and separation of powers deserves alerting.The balance between activism and self-restraint is the most rational choice for the courts in the constitutional system to make judicial review.