论宪法规范力

The Normative Force of the Constitution

“法律上的宪法”在德国一度被认为只不过是对现实权力的规范表达,宪法学作为一门规范科学的价值也因此受到挑战。在此背景下,本文指出,法律上的宪法与政治和社会现实之间有着相互制约的关系,宪法既受现实条件的制约,又规范和塑造着政治和社会现实。宪法规范力的作用发挥,受制于现实条件的影响、宪法对社会变化的适应性、人们对宪法的尊崇意志、宪法内容以及宪法实践。紧急状态是检验宪法规范力的关键时刻,然而《德国基本法》并未做好准备以接受对其规范力的检验。原因之一是,从“人们对宪法的尊崇意志”这个宪法规范力赖以发挥作用的最可靠的保障来看,《德国基本法》只是有限地扎根于普遍意识并得到其支持;原因之二是,包括自由原则等在内的宪法内容受到了深刻的质疑;原因之三是,《德国基本法》缺少关于紧急状态权的规定。宪法规范力能否得到有效发挥,取决于宪法规范力及其基本前提是否得到恪守和强化。

The legal constitution was once in Germany regarded as a mere expression of actual power,and the value of constitutionalism as a normative science was thus challenged.Against this background,this paper points to the mutual constraints between the legal constitution and political and social reality.The constitution is not only constrained by practical conditions but also regulates and shapes political and social reality.The normative effect of the constitution is subject to the influence of practical conditions,the constitution s adaptability to changes in reality,people s willingness to honor the constitution,and the content and practice of the constitution.The state of emergency is a key moment for testing the normative effect of the constitution,but the German Basic Law is not ready for the test of its normative force.One of the reasons is that one of the preconditions for the realization of the normative force of the constitution is the“people s willingness to honor the constitution”,which is only to a limited extent rooted in and supported by the general consciousness of the German Basic Law;the second reason is that the constitutional content,including the principle of freedom,has also been deeply questioned;the third reason is the lack of provisions on the right to a state of emergency.Whether the normative force of the constitution can be effectively utilized will depend on whether the normative force of the constitution and its basic premises are adhered to and strengthened.