马克思晚年在“梅恩笔记”中的民族观探索及其理论意义

Marx's National Exploration and Theoretical Significance in His Later Years in the Lengthier Notes on Henry Sumner Maine's Early History of Institutions(1985)

晚年的马克思通过对梅恩《古代法制史讲演录》的摘录和评述进行了民族观探索。在这本“梅恩笔记”中,马克思时常将梅恩的观点作为靶子,从反面诠释其民族思想。马克思指出,民族的初始凝聚来自部落首领对成员的“庇护”;从“身份”到“契约”的转变是民族国家形成的基本条件;东方社会有着不同于资本主义欧洲的发展道路。马克思晚年在梅恩笔记中的民族观探索展现了马克思对前资本主义社会的发展机制问题的宝贵意见,具有丰富的理论意义:其一,证明古代法律的主旨是维护社会和谐;其二,揭露资本主义制度的历史局限性;其三,探索通往人类自由的社会发展道路。

In his later years,Marx explored the national view through excerpts and comments on the lengthier notes on Henry Sumner Maine's Early History of Institutions(1985).In the notes,Marx often targets Maine's views and interprets his national ideology from the opposite side.Marx pointed out that the initial cohesion of a nation comes from the protection of its members by tribal leaders;transitioning from "identity" to "contract" is a fundamental condition for the formation of a nation-state;and the development path of Eastern society is different from that of capitalist Europe.The national view of Marx in his later years showcases his valuable opinions on the development mechanism of precapitalist society,which hold significant theoretical significance,Firstly,it demonstrates that ancient law primarily aimed at maintaining social harmony;Secondly,it exposes the historical limitations of the capitalist system;thirdly,it explores the social development path leading to human freedom.