美国宪法的内在特性:制度结构、法律教义与宪法文化

American Constitutional Exceptionalism: Institutions,Doctrines,and Culture

美国宪法常被看做普遍宪法理念的代表,但却有着自身鲜明的内在特性。本文采用比较宪法的视角,从美国宪法的制度结构、法律教义和宪法文化三个层面展现美国宪法不同于其他国家(尤其是其他西方国家)的自身特色。在制度结构层面,美国三权分立的总统制与大多数西欧国家的议会制有很大的不同;在世界其他地方,虽然有些国家也模仿美国的总统制,但无一像美国一样成功。在法律教义层面,美国最高法院对于宪法权利的保护方式、保护范围以及特定权利的保护程度,都与欧洲非常不同。在宪法文化层面,美国人民将《美国宪法》赋予宗教般的意义,作为国家民族认同的核心标志。认识美国宪法本身的特点有助于由简单的移植借鉴心态到慎思明辨的研究态度的转变。

Although often regarded as the embodiment of universal constitutional values, the American constitution has its own particular features. This article, adopting a comparative perspective, tries to show the distinctions of the American constitution in three aspects. First, in terms of constitutional structure, America＇ s tripartite separation of powers only succeeds in its own land ; other countries either take parliamentarism or imitate presidentialism without success. Second, in terms of rights protection, America＇ s judicial review system, styles of constitutional interpretation, and extent of constitutional rights protection are quite distinct from European countries in various aspects. Third, it is quite excep- tional that Americans take the Constitution as the central symbol of national identity, creating a ＂constitutional fetishism＂. Recognizing these American distinctions can deepen our understanding of American constitutional law.