儒学与民主关系的再思考——以黄宗羲政治思想之“民主性”问题为中心

Reflections on the Relationship between Confucianism and Democracy——Focus on the Issue of the Democratic Elements in Huang Zongxi's Political Thought

从平等、同意以及政治参与三个维度,可以为黄宗羲政治思想的"民主性"问题建立新的理解架构。《明夷待访录》以士治而非民主政体为中心,但在上述三维度中都体现出对民主价值的趋近性。就平等而言,它并非指向民众的平等政治身份,而是重在否定君主的绝对权威,拉近阶层距离。就同意而言,主张政治权力的行使必须获得士庶群体的普遍认可,其理据来自"道尊于势"的先秦儒家传统以及宋明儒学对于道德自主性的强调。就政治参与而言,表现为师道引领下公开的差序参与。综言之,其对民主价值的趋近主要借助儒学传统资源展开,这反过来亦构成了某种内在节制与限度。在传统政治思想与现代政治理论之间应建立一种双向反思关系。

A new frame work including three aspects of equality,consent and participation should be built in the discussion of the democratic elements in Huang Zongxi’s political thought.Waiting for the Dawn:A Plan for the Prince designs a political system dominated by scholar-officials rather than a democratic regime,but it still shows compatibilities with the democratic values mentioned above.As for equality,Huang does not admit the equal political status for all people,but he denies the absolute authority of emperor,and tries to narrow the gap between different classes.As for consent,Huang argues that the exertion of power must be approved by the public for the idea that Dao is higher than power,which stems from pre-Qin Confucianism and the belief in moral autonomy strengthened by Neo-Confucianism.As for participation,Huang’s plan is not absolute equality,but the participation of different groups led by Confucian scholars.In sum,the compatibilities with democracy in Huang’s thought are mainly derived from the Confucian resources,which conversely sets internal restrictions.A relationship of reflection from both sides should be built between traditional political thoughts and modern political theory.