法国绝对君主制研究路径及其转向

The Turn in the Research Approach to the French Absolute Monarchy

法国绝对君主制既是近代国家转型的重要阶段,也是学术研究的热点问题。西方学界关于绝对君主制的研究,经历了由"国家中心论"向"社会合作论"的转变。"国家中心论"强调绝对君主制对等级社会的改造与控制,凸显国家的能力;"社会合作论"则重视社会力量在国家建设过程中的介入与参与,绝对君主制的建立被认为是国家与社会之间协商和妥协的产物。这一转型重新考察了省三级会议、督办官、国家财政、军队等议题,并重新界定了绝对君主制的社会性质及其扮演的历史角色。有关法国绝对君主制问题,今后研究既应当考虑绝对王权的能动性,即国家对社会的作用,也不能忽视社会与国家的联系,即一个"深嵌于社会的国家"。

France’s absolute monarchy is not only an important stage in the transformation of modern states from the seventeenth century on,but also a topical issue for academic research.Western research on this subject has undergone a shift from“state-centered theory”to“social cooperation theory.”The former emphasizes the absolute monarchy’s changes to and control of a hierarchical society,highlighting the state’s capabilities;the latter,which attaches importance to the involvement and participation of social forces in nation building,considers the establishment of absolute monarchy to be the product of negotiation and compromise between the state and society.This research turn reexamines such issues as the provincial Estates-General,intendants,national finance,the military,etc.,and redefines the social character and historical role of the absolute monarchy.Future research on this subject should not only consider the dynamic role of the absolute monarchy,that is,the role of the state in relation to society,but also the relationship between the state and society,or“a state deeply embedded in society.”