中国上下分治的治理体制及其稳定机制

The Vertically Decentralized Authoritarianism and the Mechanisms of Political Stability in China

本文认为,中国治理体制的基本特征是治官权与治民权分设,形成"上下分治的治理体制"。中央政府主要执掌治官权,即选拔、监督和奖惩官员的权力;至于实际管治各地区民众的权力(简称"治民权"),则交给地方官执掌。只要地方官不违背中央政府所定大政方针,均可以因地制宜地行使其治民权,灵活地处置所管辖地区的民众事务。这种体制包含着降低执政风险的两个机制——分散执政风险的机制和自发调节集权程度的机制,从而有助于治理体制自身的长期稳定。

From the standpoint of governing people,the basic characteristic of the Chinese political system is the separation of the power to govern officials from the power to govern people,which forms 'the vertically decentralized authoritarianism'.The central government controls the power to govern officials which includes appointment,supervision,rewards and punishment of the officials.With regard to governing people,it is the responsibility of local government.As long as the local officials do not violate the principles of the central government,they can decide how to govern people under its jurisdiction.This system contains two mechanisms to reduce the political risk of the central government:One is to disperse the political risk,and the other is to adjust the degree of the centralization of state power spontaneously.As a result,the two mechanisms contribute to long-term stability of the political system.