刚性宪法与柔性宪法概念历史源流考重读《历史与法学研究》  

On the Historical Origin of the Concept of Rigid Constitution and Flexible Constitution:Rereading Studies in History and Jurisprudence

作　　者：胡晓进 Hu Xiaojin

机构地区：[1]中国政法大学人文学院

出　　处：《政法论坛》2023年第1期169-177,共9页Tribune of Political Science and Law

基　　金：国家社会科学基金项目“美国宪法在中国的翻译与传播研究”(16BFX020)阶段性成果。

摘　　要：1884年,英国学者、政治家詹姆斯·布赖斯在牛津大学的两次演讲中首创刚性宪法与柔性宪法概念,演讲记录收藏在他的个人档案材料中,当年出版的《牛津杂志》也有记载。1901年,布赖斯出版个人文集《历史与法学研究》,详细阐述了刚性宪法与柔性宪法概念。布赖斯提出刚性宪法与柔性宪法概念主要是希望化解原有的成文宪法与不成文宪法分类造成的解释困境与概念误导,超越和取代成文宪法与不成文宪法概念;同时也是为了回应法国思想家托克维尔提出的“英国根本不存在宪法”论断,为英国宪法辩护。当今主流宪法教科书均会提及这两组概念,但没有说明这两组概念的继承性关系,甚至误以为成文宪法与不成文宪法概念也是布赖斯首创,亟需澄清。近些年,随着日本修改宪法的呼声不断高涨,刚性宪法与柔性宪法概念再次引起国际学界重视,显示出持久的生命力与现实意义,值得重视。The concept of rigid/flexible constitution was coined by British jurist and politician James Bryce in 1884.Bryce’s lectures on rigid/flexible constitution were firstly published in The Oxford Magazine and could be found in his personal files,which were kept in the Bodleian Library of Oxford University.James Bryce elaborated the concept in his book Studies in History and Jurisprudence,which was published in 1901.The concept of rigid/flexible constitution was an innovation to solve the dilemma and misconception faced by the traditional sort of written/unwritten constitution.The concept of rigid/flexible constitution was a powerful argument for the British constitution,and a vigorous rebuke to the Tocqueville’s criticism that "British constitution does not in reality exist".As a classification of various kinds of constitutions,the concept of rigid/flexible constitution was invented to take place of the traditional sort of written/unwritten constitution,which was not the invention of James Bryce.Japan’s recently attempts to amend its Constitution was blocked by the rigidity of the Constitution,which indicate the meaning and vitality of rigid/flexible constitution.

关 键 词：刚性宪法与柔性宪法 詹姆斯·布赖斯 戴雪 成文宪法与不成文宪法 

分 类 号：D911[政治法律—宪法学与行政法学]