克林顿总统弹劾案中的权力和权利冲突

The Conflict of Power and Right in the Campaign to Impeach to President Clinton

克林顿弹劾案反映了美国政治、国家和社会体制中多方面的权力和权利冲突。弹劾是罢免总统的唯一手段 ,但宪法关于弹劾的条款含义不明。“独立检查官法”表现出巨大的政治破坏性 ,法律至上与个人权利价值在实践中难以平衡 ,党派倾轧渗入司法过程 ,大众观念与精英政治出现巨大的差距。此案例不仅暴露出美国国家制度中的许多问题 ,也引发对国家政治和社会观念更广泛的思考。

The attempt to impeach Bill Clinton in 1998-99 reflected complex conflicts of the power and right in American politi-cal, governmental, and social systems. The Constitution is ambiguous about impeachment although impeachment is the only means to remove a president from office. The Law of Independent Prosecutor caused serious political damages.The supremacy of law and the value of individual rights were difficult to balance. Partisan struggles influenced judi-ciary processes. Public opinions and elite politics showed significant disparity. This legal case not only reveals many problems in American governmental system but also inspires broader thinking pertaining to national politics and social philosophy.