仿行内阁:清末会议政务处述论

Following the Cabinet:On the Committee of Ministers in the Late Qing Dynasty

清末预备立宪期间设立的会议政务处,是朝廷为暂缓组建责任内阁而设立的过渡性机构,充当"内阁的雏形",为"将来内阁之基础"。其人员组成主要包括军机大臣、大学士和各部尚书。在预备立宪期间,会议政务处一方面对督办政务处时期议覆奏折的职能有所继承,另一方面通过定期举行"内阁会议",负责朝廷各类政事的会商、审议与仲裁。此外,会议政务处在制度上保证各部大臣有机会定期参与重大事宜的决策,扩大中央的决策面,丰富决策的形式,也为随后设立的责任内阁奠定了基础。

The Committee of Minister, which was established by the imperial court during the preparatory constitutional reform in late Qing, was a transitional institution for the suspension of cabinet formation. It was regarded as embryonic form and foundation of cabinet. The personnel mainly consisted of the grand councilors, the grand secretary and ministers from different departments. During the preparatory constitutional reform, the Committee of Minister, on the one hand, inherited some of the functions of the Bureau of Government Affairs on rechecking and reconsidering the memorials, and on the other hand was responsible for the discussion, deliberation and arbitration of political affairs via regular cabinet meetings for the imperial court. In addition, the Committee of Ministers not only ensured that the ministers in every department had opportunities to participate in decision making of major issues, expanded central government＇ s decision making range, enriched the decision making form, but also lied foundation for the subsequent establishment of responsible cabinet.