法、法治与宪政(下)

Law, the Rule of Law, and Constitutional System

法治是宪政的必要基础,并捍卫着宪政体制的生存和稳定,没有法治就没有宪政。如果法律仅仅是统治者(立法者或执法者)意志的体现,那就没有法治,也就无宪政可言。宪政的目标决不是简单地限制政府权力。宪政的目标是建立一个有效的、负责的、公正的、保护个人基本权利的政治和法律体系;这就要求宪法赋予政府足够的、有效的权力来管理公共事务和保持社会安全及稳定。

The rule of law is the necessary foundation for the survival and stability of constitutionalism. Without the rule of law, there will be no constitutionalism. The aim of constitutionalism is not merely to hold the power of the government in check. Rather it calls for the establishment of an efficient, accountable and fair political and legal system that provides protection for individual rights. Such being the case, the government should have sufficient power authorized by the constitution to exercise public administration and ensure social stability.