孟德斯鸠商业思想语境辨析

An Analysis of the Context of Montesquieu's Ideas of Commerce

孟德斯鸠关于商业问题的论述是其政治思想的重要构成部分。在论述商业时,他采用了历史主义和经验主义的分析方法,这种分析方法与他身处的历史背景有密切关系。在经历了路易十四统治末期的衰败后,法国人试图寻找一条重振国威的和平之路,发展商业成为一时之选。但是,欧洲各国在商业发展上,道路不同,表现不同,结果不同。法国人需要考察历史经验与政治制度的差异,寻找适合法国的发展途径。孟德斯鸠的商业思想正是对上述问题的回应。这意味着,启蒙时代的政治经济思想有着强烈的现实关怀,而非完全基于抽象理性主义,也证明思想史的研究必须要扣合历史语境。

Montesquieu’s discourse on the commerce is an important component of his political thought.In addressing the commerce,he adopted a seemingly historicism and empirical method of analysis.This approach is closely related to the historical context in which Montesquieu lived.After the decline at the end of the reign of Louis ⅩⅣ, the French were trying to find a peaceful way to revive their country.The development of commerce became the choice of the moment.However,European countries took different paths,and had different performances and results in their commercial development.This led the French to examine the differences in historical experience and political systems to find a way of development suitable for France.Montesquieu’s theory of commerce was a response to these problems.This means that the political and economic thought of the Age of Enlightenment has a strong concern for reality and is not based on rationalism.It also proves that the study of the history of ideas must be fastened to the historical context.