集权抑或分权:清末地方铁路管理机构设置的困境

Centralization or Decentralization:The Dilemma of Institution Setup of Local Railway Management in the Late Qing Dynasty

铁路的地方化与清末政治改革的集权化趋势显然是相背离的,铁路管理体制成为清季官制改革的重点与难点。在权力重心下移的大背景下,地方政府对于交通行政管理权限却是不确定的,并且越来越陷于“失语”的窘境。地方政府对铁路的介入,主要凭借督抚大员的政治威信和社会控制力,并非依托专职的地方铁路管理机构。产权和技术上的约束,使地方与铁路关系的基础显得很脆弱。在铁路管理体制是集权抑或是分权的选择上,地方因缺乏铁路管理方面的积累和组织保障,实际上并没有多少话语权。

The localization of railway went against the centralization of political reform in the late Qing dynasty,the management system of railway was the key and difficulty in the reform of bureaucratic system.Under the context of decentralization,the local government was uncertain about the power of traffic administration,and stuck in the dilemma of aphasia.The involvement of local government in railway management is realized by official’s political authority and social control,instead of local professional organization.The restraints of property and technology make the relationship between local government and railway company fragile.In the choice of centralization and decentralization,local government was left with less voice because of lacking experience and organizational guarantee.