亚当·斯密、哈耶克与英国普通法的演进

Adam Smith,Hayek and the Evolution of the English Common Law

英国自由被视作政治中道与渐进主义的典范,这尤其体现为其不可追溯的普通法传统与宪制的连续性。哈耶克就曾视英国历史为一种自发秩序,并认为苏格兰启蒙运动发扬了这一辉格史学精神。然而,作为哈耶克自发秩序理论的重要思想来源,亚当·斯密实际上反驳了哈耶克继受的辉格史学。斯密认为普通法并非习俗的自发产物,而是诺曼征服后秩序重组的革命性成果;为普通法律师所敌视的衡平法庭则是不可或缺的外部补足。斯密对普通法与英国历史的理解展现了其“怀疑主义辉格派”的形象。

English liberty is regarded as the exemplar of political moderation and gradualism,particularly evident in its immemorial common law tradition and the continuity of the English constitution.Accordingly,Hayek sees British history as a spontaneous order,and argues that the Scottish Enlightenment furthers the spirit of Whig historiography.However,Adam Smith,who has an important intellectual influence on Hayek’s theory of spontaneous order,rejects the Whig historiography which Hayek inherits.In Smith’s account,English common law is not the spontaneous product of insular custom,but a revolutionary outcome of the order restructured following the Norman Conquest.The Chancery Court,criticised by many common lawyers,is also deemed by Smith as an indispensable exogenous remedy.Smith’s interpretation of common law and English history thus reveals his stance as a“sceptical Whig”.