一体两翼内外相维:明代中枢政治结构之再认识

One Body,Two Wings and Internal and External Maintenance:A Further Understanding of the Central Political Structure in the Ming Dynasty

作为帝制中国政治制度的核心部分,中枢政治结构的变革呈现出“因袭与演变”的重要特点。明代中枢政治结构的发展,经历了“皇帝—丞相”的“一对一模式”和“皇帝—六部”的“一对多模式”,最终形成了“皇帝—内阁、司礼监”的“一对二模式”,这是明朝不同于以往任何朝代的中枢决策系统。从纵向结构来看,明代中枢政治结构形成了一种立体的金字塔型结构,皇帝无疑处在权力的最顶峰;就横向分层而言,分居皇权之下的司礼监和内阁互相制约,形成“一体两翼,内外相维”的权力结构。

As a core part of the imperial political system of China,the transformation of the central political structure pres‐ents important traits of“inheritance and evolution”.The development of the central political structure in the Ming Dynasty,differ‐ent from the previous dynasties,experienced from the“one-to-one model”in the form of“emperor-prime minister”and the“one-many model”of“emperor-six ministries”,and finally to the“one-two model”of“emperor-Grand Secretariat and Directorate of Ceremonia”.From a vertical perspective,the central political structure of the Ming Dynasty formed a three-dimensional pyramid structure,with the emperor undoubtedly at the pinnacle of power.In terms of horizontal stratification,the Grand Secretariatand Directorate of Ceremonial,which were separated under imperial power,mutually constrained each other,forming a power struc‐ture of“one body,two wings and internal and external maintenance”.