美国早期政治中“98年原则”的形成——以弗吉尼亚州为个案

The Making of the Principles of’98in Early American Politics:A Case Study of Virginia

“98年原则”是美国早期州控制国家的一种方式,即制定宪法契约的各州有权废止违宪的联邦法令,通过这种对抗性的行动,州可以阻止国家持续的权力扩张,维护自身的保留权力。弗吉尼亚州的政治精英从一开始就警惕国家权力的增长。在弗吉尼亚州宪法批准大会上,宪法的反对者不断施加压力,要求限制国家权力,明确宪法的解释规则,以维护弗吉尼亚的安全。宪法支持者的保证为“98年原则”奠定了宪法论辩的基础。联邦政府成立之后,国家权力的不断增长迫使弗吉尼亚共和党人思考怎样进行反抗的问题,而通过州政府抵制联邦政府是重要选项。在更严重的宪法危机面前,他们最终提出了“98年原则”,宣布州有权判定联邦法令违宪。“98年原则”深刻地反映了美国早期以州为核心的宪法秩序,意在维护州层面的公民自治,严格限定中央国家的行动范围。

In early America,the Principles of’98advocated that the states which formulated the constitutional compact could nullify unconstitutional federal laws,which represent one of the three ways of controlling the central state.The states could stop the tendency of national consolidation,and safeguard their reserved powers through these confrontational actions.From the beginning,the leaders of the state of Virginia kept vigilant about the growth of national power.In Virginia’s ratification convention,the opponents of the constitution put pressure on the federalists unceasingly.In order to maintain Virginia’s security,Virginia’s anti-federalists asked for limiting national powers and fixing the rules of constitutional interpretation.The assurances of the proponents of the constitution laid the foundation for the constitutional argument of the Principles of’98.After the establishment of the federal government,constant growth of national power compelled Virginia republicans to reflect on how to resist the consolidation.They thought political action of state against federal government was an important option.Facing a more serious constitutional crisis in 1798,Virginia republicans finally elucidated the Principles of’98,and announced that states had the right of judging the constitutionality of federal laws.The Principles of’98profoundly demonstrate the state-centered constitutional order in early America.In general,the Principles of’98aim at preserving citizen autonomy in the states and limiting central state’s sphere of actions strictly.