英国新君主制下的决策机制初探

The Decision-making Mechanism under the New Monarchy of England

"新君主制"是英国向近代社会转型时期出现的过渡性的君主制。在这一时期,中世纪封建君主制向现代立宪君主制转型,王权成为新兴民族国家的代表,并蕴含着现代性原则。结合新君主制产生的时代背景,其完整定义当为"国家至上的新君主制"。在这种君主制之下,政府决策机制发生了根本性的、剧烈的变革,枢密院制度的形成和发展就是其中的重要内容。经过初创、确立和成熟三个阶段的演进,枢密院建立起集体负责制,成为制定政策的核心机构,并同议会相联合,制约了王权的恣意行使,担当起治理王国的大部分职能,并为"光荣革命"和内阁制的形成奠定了基础。

As a type of interim monarchy, 'New Monarchy' appeared around the time during social transition in the Western European history. By this phase, monarchy transformed itself from feudal monarchy belonging to the Middle Ages to modern constitutional monarchy; the crown became a deputy of the newborn Nation-state. As a system of historical theory, 'New Monarchy' was composed by Pollard, and centered on the concept of New Monarchy in order to explain the social transformation happened during the 15-17^(th) century. New Monarchy Theory of Pollard emphasizes modernity of this era and is found suitable for referring to the monarchy established during social transition. This article argues that it is necessary to highlight the context of new monarchy, and the full concept should be 'New Monarchy under and for Nation-state.' Under such monarchy, decision-making mechanism of government changed fundamentally and intensely; the forming and developing of Privy Council is the most important part of the change. There are three phases of changes occurred to the Privy Council, founding period of itself, institutions and principles construction within the Privy Council, and the mature period. And through these changes, Privy Council created a system of collective responsibility, occupied the center of decision-making system; and in form of establishing an alliance with parliament, it even restricted the crown from being arbitrary; it took on most part of the responsibility of ruling the realm, paved the way to the 'Glorious Revolution' and the establishing of cabinet system.