多数决、多数人暴政与宪法权利——兼议现代立宪主义的基本属性

Majority Rule,Tyranny of Majority and Constitutional Rights:A Perspective of Modern Constitutionalism

"多数决"是形成集体行动的一个必要手段,不能因为少数派诉求落空就斥之为"多数人暴政"。宪法权利是一个重要的制度性区分标准,亦即当多数决的对象不涉及宪法权利时它是正当的,当用多数决程序剥夺宪法权利时它才是"多数人暴政"。宪法权利正是由于对议会立法怀有警惕才发挥其功能的。这一判断也有助于在深层面上理解司法独立、违宪审查、权利法案等立宪设计的功能及其条件。当前我国思想界对多数决的恐惧,在很大程度上恰恰是由于制度性的多数决机制缺失的表现。

Majority rule is necessary for collective actions.We can not regard it as tyranny of majority just because of the failure of minority.Constitutional rights can be a institutional standard for discriminating majority rule and tyranny of majority.Only when some people use majority rule to deprive constitutional rights may it cause tyranny.This argument can also be helpful for understanding the positive values of constitutionalism constrain and democracy that majority rule representatives.