18世纪末美、法宪法的全民公决方式论略

On Referendum for American and French Constitutions at the End of 18th Century

全民公决作为宪法的批准方式开始于18世纪末的美、法两国,其理论基础是社会契约论。不过,在美、法两国的宪法批准实践中,全民公决的理论意义并没有实现。影响全民公决的因素主要包括选民资格限制、政治操控等。民意在全民公决中也具有很大的随意性。实际上,多元势力单位往往是推动全民公决的积极因素。一元操控的全民公决是假公决,只有多元势力单位互相妥协才是宪法生命持久的重要因素。

As a way to validate constitution,referendum was initiated in USA and France at the end of the 18th century with the social contract as the theoretical basis.However,the theoretical significance of referendum was not realized in practice.Factors which influence referendum mainly include citizens＇ eligibility to elect,and political manipulations.Citizens＇ intention in a sense is also arbitrary.In fact,the positive factors involved in referendum constitute of multiple units.A referendem under a unitary manipulation is a fake one and only a compromise between multiple units can sustain the life of a constitution.