《公司词义考》二十年——再思语言游戏、法律移植和政企关系

Twenty Years after A Study of the Chinese Concept of Corporation:Revisiting Language Game,Legal Transplantation and Government-business Relationship in China

学界很多对起源于国外的法律制度的研究,都把本国制度放在与“国际标准”对比的模式下,试图观察其不足之处,并找出缩小差距的方法。通过回顾《公司词义考》一文中提出的三个重要问题,可以发现上述方法存在可批评之处。方流芳先生在考察公司概念起源时使用的“语言游戏”方法在法律史研究中有重大贡献,开创了比较法学的新天地,而且对解决当代法律与发展的难题也有借鉴意义。《公司词义考》考察被移植的制度在本国的真实境遇,超越了“问题—解决”为基本架构的功能主义阐释,不仅推进了公司法研究,而且对未来中国避开制度想象力贫乏的陷阱颇有启发意义。

Many scholars places legal institutions originated from foreign countries in a peculiar paradigm of comparison,in which Chinese institutions are gauged by“international standards”and are improved only through eliminating the differences found.Through revisiting three important questions raised in Professor Liufang FANG s article,I criticize the paradigm of comparison.The“language game”approach used by Prof.FANG in examining the origins of the concept of corporation is groundbreaking.The article has made significant contributions to the study of legal history,opened new horizons in comparative law,and is inspiring in solving some contemporary problems of law and development.By examining the real consequences of transplanting an institution in China,Professor FANG has transcended the functionalist approach.His work not only advances the study of corporate law,but also helps China avoid the pitfalls of the poverty of imagination.