中国传统民间调解溯源究因

On the Origin of Traditional Folk Mediation in China

调解作为中国古代社会最为普遍的一种纠纷解决方式,集中反映了中国传统的法律文化——"无讼"思想,其生命力根植于中国社会的方方面面。在以小农经济为表现形式的中国传统农业生产经济基础上建立起来的中国传统基本社会关系的结构、社会文化和社会价值取向等对传统调解的产生和发展产生了决定性的影响。而统治者在意识形态上培养"无讼"、"贱讼"的意识,在司法制度上限制民众的诉权,在审理案件时司法官首选调处息讼的策略以及支持和鼓励民间调解等对调解的盛行不衰起到了推波助澜的作用。中国古代社会特殊的政权性质、体制,以及司法构造、吏治状况等造成的中国古代司法的黑暗,使调解成为当事人趋利避害的必然行为选择。

As a most common means to settle disputes in Chinese ancient society,mediation focally represented the conception of ＂non-charge＂,a essential factor of Chinese traditional legal culture,whose power of life is rooted in every aspect of Chinese society.The social structure,social culture and social values which embodied the primary relations of Chinese traditional society had decisive influences in the introduction and growth of mediation.The rulers helped a great deal enhance popularity of mediation by developing a consciousness of ＂noncharge＂ or ＂denouncing charge＂ ideologically,restricting people＇s right of charge in legal system,preferring the strategy of mediation to calm down charge and encouraging folk mediation.The darkness in the judicial system in ancient China,which resulted only from the special character and institutions of political power in Chinese ancient society,judicial composition and status quo of officialdom,made mediation a necessary option by which the persecutor could avoid hazardous effects to most degree.