大一统国家的存续之道——章太炎《秦政记》的政治文化意涵

How Does Large-Scale State with Unified Rule Survive——Political and Cultural Implications of Zhang Taiyan’s Notes on the Government of Qin

在《秦政记》一文里,章太炎试图挖掘深刻影响中国两千余年政治制度与政治文化的秦政之精髓,从中总结中国古代政治实践中所体现出来的内在原理,以此作为未来中国制度建设的历史参考。章太炎在文中强调,理解秦政不可简单套用源自近代西方的'专制'话语。秦政的运作一定程度上保障了平民的利益。并且在铨选人才方面,秦制实践韩非主张的'宰相必起于州部,猛将必发于卒伍',具有社会流动性,有效动员了当时的基层社会力量,杜绝皇族贵戚弄权干位,树立了良好的政治风气。此外,秦政厉行法治,赏罚一准于法,拒绝对特权集团法外开恩,这一点体现了社会平等,同时形成流传后世的政治文化传统,成为未来中国法治建设的重要传统资源。

In his Notes on the Government of Qin,Zhang Taiyan sets out to render the essential characteristics of the Government of Qin,which has left a lasting imprint on China’s political system over the past two thousand years.Zhang also attempts to summarize ancient Chinese political practices into generalized intrinsic principles that serve as historical guidelines for China’s institution building.He emphasizes in the essay that one must not apply mechanically Western paradigm of autocracy in understanding the government of Qin,which had,to some extent,safeguarded commoners’interest.Moreover,the Qin government-following Han Fei the Legalist’s counsel-practiced meritocracy in promoting its civil and military officers,thus creating social mobility and mobilizing grassroot forces.It prevented the noble class from meddling with state power,thereby keeping it less vulnerable to corruption.In addition,the Qin government upheld the rule of law in administering reward and punishment,without showing leniency to the privileged.Qin’s insistence on social equality had morphed into a political culture inherited by subsequent dynasties.And it may become an important source of inspiration in China’s pursuit of the rule of law in the future.