试论中国传统法治之制度源

A Discussion on Institutional Origin of Traditional Rule of Law in China

商鞅变法强秦统一中国和文艺复兴后欧洲崛起之历史事实,并同当下中国制度困境无不让人有历史使命感地思考制度何以然的发展问题。古人说"知法治所由生,则应时而变;不知法治之源,虽循古,终乱"。因此,对传统法治之制度源的思想贫困正是当前制度困境产生的重要原因。传统法治之制度源是一种指引法治建设的政治价值导向,它涵盖了一国所有的政治制度源头,也昭示了社会的破立规律,还倡导一种既不激进也不保守的执中思潮。中国的传统法治之源所包含的总领国家政治的立国与治国之重大事务的规律,是中国传统法治之制度源所要思考的关键之处。

The major historical facts like China becoming united after the Reform of Shang Yang in the State of Qin, the Europe＇ rise in the world after the Renaissance, and the present institutional predicaments in China all make people feel urged and obliged to reflect on the developmental problem like why the institutions are like what they are. An ancient saying goes like that： if people know their origins, the institutions can be adapted and reformed with the time; otherwise, turmoil will arise even if people observe them. Therefore, the primary cause of the present institutional predicaments consists in people＇s lack of knowledge concerning the origin of institutions. As the political value o-4entation in the construction of rule of law, the traditional rule of law covers the origin of all the political institutions of a state, reveals the law of rise and fall of a society, and advocates a moderate stance neither radical nor conservative in institution innovation. The traditional rule of law of China entails the principles of all the great affairs of the state and is therefore a key point for consideration.