法律体系何以存在?——一种法律实证主义的解读

How Does the Legal System Exist?——An Interpretation from the Perspective of Legal Positivism

法律体系的存在问题,是任何关于法律体系的定义之必要前提,也是一个贯穿于法律实证主义的理论命题。无论是作为一个实体性、本体性的研究对象,还是作为一种研究和分析法律概念的方法,法律实证主义需要通过预设或承认法律体系的存在来回答“法律的规范性如何产生”等问题。从奥斯丁、凯尔森、哈特到拉兹,判断一个法律体系是否存在,将取决于如何界定“法律”或解释法律的本质。经过哈特与德沃金之争,一种经由建构性诠释而来的原则纳入法律体系之中,进一步延伸和加强了前者的观点。因此,作为一种制度化体系,人们只有在某种程度上普遍遵守和服从法律,一个法律体系才能成为规范的统一体。

The existence problem of the legal system is a necessary premise of any definition of the legal system,and also a theoretical proposition throughout the legal positivism.Whether as a substantive and ontological research subject,or as a method for studying and analyzing,legal positivism requires the presupposition or recognition of the existence of a legal system to answer questions such as“how does legal normalization arise”.From Austin,Kelsen,Hart to Raz,the problem of whether a legal system exists will depend on how to define“law”or interpret the nature of law.After the Hart-Dworkin debate,a principle derived from constructive interpretation has been incorporated into the legal system,which can further extend and reinforce the former's viewpoint.Therefore,as an institutionalized system,only when the law is generally abided by and obeyed to a certain extent,can a legal system become a unity of norms.