I recently participated in an excellent conference: "Constitutionalism in China in the Past 100 Years and Its Future," (中國立憲100周年及中國憲政的未來) sponsored by the Centre for Chinese and Comparative Law (RCCL) School of Law, City University of Hong Kong (香港城市大學法律學院、中國法與比較法研究中心), Hong Kong, China, and its director Dr. Prof. Lin Feng on October 17, 2008. My thanks to Dr. Lin for putting together an excellent conference.
The conference had many superb speakers who contributed greatly to the production of knowledge about the development of Chinese constitutionalism from a perspective less often aired in the West. Many of the papers presented will be published in the Journal of Chinese and Comparative Law. The following was the program for that conference:
Programme (會議日程)
17 October 2008 (Friday)
二零零八年十月十七日 (星期五)
Opening Session: 9:15 - 9:30 am
Registration 登記
9:30 – 10:00 am Opening Session : 開幕儀式 :
Professor Wang Guiguo Dean, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong: 王貴國教授
城市大學法律學院院長
Professor Han Dayuan, Chairman of Chinese Constitutional Law Association: 韓大元教授
中國法學會憲法研究會會長
17 October 2008 (Friday): 二零零八年十月十七日 (星期五)
10:30 am - 12:20 pm
First Session : 第一節 :
Chair 主席：Professor Albert Chen 陳弘毅教授
Theme 主題: Constitutionalism in China (Theory and History) 中國的憲政（理論和歷史）
Panel發言人：
10:30 am - 10:50 am
Professor Yeong-Chin Su
College of Law, National Chengchi University, Chairman of National Communications Commission: 蘇永欽教授 政治大學法律系教授、國家通訊傳播委員會主任委員
Constitutional Moments in the Chinese Context 中國語境中的憲法時刻
10:50 am - 11:10 am
Professor Michael Dowdle
Visiting Professor, Singapore National University
Beyond 'Judicial Power': Exploring for Constitutionalism in 21st Century China
二十一世紀中國憲政探索
11:10 am - 11:30 am
Professor Lin Laifan, School of Law, Zhejiang University
林來梵教授 浙江大學法學院
Historical Development of the Concept of Constitutionalism with Chinese Characteristics
中國式憲政的概念發展史
Discussion 討論
11:30 am - 11:45 am
Professor Joseph Cheng, Chair Professor of Political Science, City University of Hong Kong
鄭宇碩教授 城巿大學政治科學
Commentators
評論者
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Prof Michael Davis, Faculty of Social Sciences
Chinese University of Hong Kong
2:00 pm to 3:50 pm
Second Session : 第二節：
Chair 主席：
Prof Yogesh Tyagi Theme 主題：
Constitutionalism in China (Practice) (I): 中國的憲政（實踐）(第一部份)
Panel發言人：
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Professor Han Dayuan, School of Law, Renmin University
韓大元教授 中國人民大學法學院
The Concept of Basic Rights in the Context of Chinese Constitution—Its Origin and Evolvement in China
中國憲法學語境中的基本權利概念—基本權利概念在中國的起源與演變
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm
Professor Mo Jihong, Law Institute, China Academy of Social Science
莫紀宏教授 中國社會科學院法學院
Constitutional Law of China and Its Development
中國憲法及其發展
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm
Zou Pinxue, School of Law, Shenzhen University
鄒平學教授 深圳大學法學院
Opportunities and Challenges for the Constitutional Construction in Current China
當代中國憲政建設面臨的機遇和挑戰
Discussion 討論
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Professor Yeong-Chin Su
College of Law, National Chengchi University, Chairman of National Communications Commission 蘇永欽教授
政治大學法律系教授、國家通訊傳播委員會主任委員
Commentators 評論者
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Professor Hu Jinguang, School of Law, Renmin University
胡錦光教授 中國人民大學法學院
4:10 pm – 6:00 pm
Third Session :
第三節 :
Chair 主席：
Professor Anton Cooray
Theme 主題：
Constitutionalism in China (Practice) (II): 中國的憲政（實踐）(第二部份)
Panel發言人：
4:10 pm - 4:30 pm
Professor Larry Catá Backer
Professor of Law, Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law-University Park Campus
The Communist Party and the Constitutional State: A Theory of Constitutionalism and the Party-State 共產黨與憲法國家：一種憲政及黨與國家的理論
4:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Professor Fan Jinxue, School of Law, Shandong University
樊進學教授 山東大學法學院
The Development of the Ruling Party’s Constitutional Consciousness and the Future of Constitutionalism in China
執政黨的憲政修養發展與中國憲政的未來
4:50 pm - 5:10 pm
Dr Lin Feng, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
林峰博士 城巿大學法律學院
Constitutionalism in China under the Leadership of CPC: Is it Possible?
中國在共產黨領導下走向憲政---可能嗎？
5:10 pm - 5:25 pm
Prof Xiao Beigeng, School of Law, Hunan Normal University
肖北庚教授 湖南師範大學法學院
Democracy in Consultation: New Trend in China’s Constitutional Democracy
協商民主：中國憲政民主新趨勢
Discussion 討論
5:25 pm – 5:40 pm
Prof Jean-Pierre CABESTAN
Head of Dept of International Relations, HKBU (confirmed)
Commentators 評論者
5:40 pm – 6:00 pm
Professor Tong Zhiwei, East China University of Law and Political Science
童之偉教授 華東政法大學
18 October 2008 (Saturday)
二零零八年十月十八日 (星期六)
9:00 am – 10:50 am
Fourth Session : 第四節 :
Chair 主席：
Professor Lin Laifan 林來梵教授
Theme 主題：
Constitutionalism in China (Practice): 中國的憲政（實踐）(第三部份)
Panel發言人：
9:00 am - 9:20 am
Professor Tong Zhiwei, East China University of Law and Political Science
童之偉教授 華東政法大學
Assessment of Short-term Trend in China’s Constitutional Development
中國憲制發展中短期態勢評估
9:20 am - 9:40 am
Professor Dong Heping, North-west University of Political Science and Law
董和平教授 西北政法大學
The Route and Procedure for Constitutional Reform in China
從體制內憲政微調到體制本身的憲政優化-關於中國憲政改革路徑和步驟的思考
9:40 am - 10:00 am
Professor Hu Jinguang, School of Law, Renmin University
胡錦光教授 中國人民大學法學院
Evolution and Challenge of Review of Public Authority in China
論中國對公權力審查的演進與挑戰
Discussion 討論
10:00 am - 10:15 am
Dr Zhu Guobin, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
朱國斌博士 香港城巿大學法律學院
Commentators 評論者
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Professor Wang Dezhi, School of Law, Shandong University
王德志教授 山東大學法學院
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Fifth Session : 第五節 :
Chair 主席：
Prof Mo Ji Hong
Theme 主題：
Comparative Study of Practice of Constitutionalism (Part I): 憲政實踐之比較研究(第一部份)
Panel發言人：
11:00 am - 11:20 am
Professor Christian W. Haerpfer, Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations King's College University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Democratic Transformations in Post-Communist Europe and Post-Soviet Eurasia
後共產主義歐洲及後蘇聯時期歐亞的民主轉型
11:20 am - 11:40 am
Dr Surya Deva, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
The Right to Property in a Socialist Constitution: A Review of the Role of Indian Judiciary
社會主義憲法中的財產權：對印度司法機構作用的考查
Discussion 討論
11:40 pm - 11:55 am
Mr P Y Lo, Barrister, member of the Bar Council, Hong Kong Bar Association
羅沛然大律師 香港大律師公會
Commentators 評論者
11:55 am - 12:10 pm
Prof HP Lee, Faculty of Law, Monash University
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sixth Session : 第六節 :
Chair 主席：
Prof Han Daynan
Theme 主題：
Comparative Study of Practice of Constitutionalism (Part II): 憲政實踐之比較研究(第二部份)
Panel發言人：
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Professor Suzuki Ken, Hokudai University, Japan
鈴木賢教授 北海道大學
Judicial Implementation of Constitutional Norms: A Comparison between Japan and China
通過司法實踐憲法的規範-從中日比較的角度出發
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm
Prof HP Lee, Faculty of Law, Monash University, Australia
The Advancement of Constitutionalism in China - Lessons From Abroad, with Particular Reference to Australia, UK, Malaysia and Singapore
中國憲政之發展--外國（尤其是澳大利亞，英國，馬來西亞及新加坡）的經驗
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm
Professor Ahl Bjorn, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
伯陽教授 香港城巿大學法律學院
The Development of Constitutional Supremacy: German Experiences and their Relevance for China
憲政至上原則的發展：德國的經驗及與中國的關係
Discussion 討論
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Professor Mo Jihong, Law Institute, China Academy of Social Science
莫紀宏教授 中國社會科學院法學院
Commentators
評論者
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Professor Lin Laifan, School of Law, Zhejiang University
林來梵教授 浙江大學法學院
3:50 pm – 4:00 pm
Closing Remark
閉幕儀式
Prof Gu Minkang, Associate Dean, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
顧敏康教授 城市大學法律學院
For my own contribution, I presented a paper entitled The Communist Party and the Constitutional State: A Theory of Constitutionalism and the Party-State 共產黨與憲法國家：一種憲政及黨與國家的理論. Here is the abstract in English roughly translated into Chinese (Mandarin):
ABSTRACT:
Since the establishment of the Soviet Union, constitutional theory has tended to look suspiciously at the constitutionalization of Marxist Leninist state apparatus under the control of a single party in power. There is a sense of illegitimacy, and a suggestion of the construction of sham constitutions, in regimes in which the ultimate state power is vested in an apparatus which itself is subject to the direction of an extra constitutional power, which in turn is meant to mask personal rule. With state under Party, and Party a system of leveraging personal power, the state-party system had come to be understood as a cover for tyranny and despotism, as a veil over the personal rule of an individual or a clique according to their whim and supported by the coercive power of military establishments and internal terror regimes. In this context, constitutionalism is incomprehensible. These judgments have formed the basis of analysis of Chinese constitutionalism as well, serving as the foundations for critique especially after the reforms of Deng Xiaping and his successors after 1989. But are these criticisms inevitably correct in general, and wholly applicable in the post 1989 Chinese context? This paper explores those questions, suggesting a basis for the articulation of a legitimizing constitutionalist theory for states organized on a state-party model along certain lines. Focusing on the evolution of state-party constitutionalism in China since 1989, the article first reviews the basic principles of current constitutionalism theory and its importance as a legitimating global ideology against which state organization, and the actions of state officials, are judged. The article then looks to the evolution of the party-state model of governance from its origins in 19th century European Marxist-Leninist theory to its reception in China in the 1920s, and its modern transformation “under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of 'Three Represents'” (PRC Constitution 2004, Preamble). Drawing from the implications of the evolution of theories of state-party constitutionalism in China, the article suggests that it is possible to theorize a state-party model of state organization that remains true to the ideals of constitutionalism grounded in the core postulate of rule of law governance. The basis of Chinese state-party constitutionalism requires a reconception of an understanding of constitution—to include both the document constituting the state and that constituting the Party as equivalent components that together form the national constitution as understood in the West. It is also based on a different understanding of the character of the Communist Party—not as a political party or as a private actor but as an integral part of the institutional structure of government, and more importantly, as the holder of political citizenship. These insights produce substantial consequences for the ways in which Chinese constitutionalism are understood and evaluated under global constitutionalist standards, which are discussed in the last section of the paper. These include the reflection of the party-state construct (1) in a division of the character of citizenship between economic and social citizenship, claimed by all persons, and political citizenship, which can be exercised through the Party, (2) in an understanding of political organization in which the state power and its institutions are subordinate to political authority, (3) in an institutionalization of political authority within a collective that serves as the source and conduit of constitutional values to be applied by the holders of state authority, and (4) in a system in which Party elaboration of rule of law values is contingent on state and party self discipline. Chinese constitutionalism, understood as state and party constitutionalism can, together, serve as a basis for understanding the way in which rule of law governance is legitimately possible where the disciplinary focus of constitutional duty is focused, not primarily on the state apparatus, but instead centers on the Party apparatus. Rule of law constitutionalism in China, then, is better understood as state-party constitutionalism, with a necessary focus on party rather than state. But thus constructed, even state-party systems can claim a certain legitimacy as a constitutionalist system—though one whose substantive values are inconsistent with those of secular transnationalist constitutionalist states. This is constitutionalism with Chinese characteristics.
摘要：
自 前苏联 成立以来，宪政理论始终试图以怀疑的目光审视一党专政之下的马克思列宁主义国家政权。当国家的最高权力被授予某一个机构，而这个机构受制于一种超越宪法的外力，并且这种外力意味着个人统治的面具，这时，这个国家的宪法被认为是不合法并且是虚伪的。当国家受制于政党，而政党成为个人权力博弈的平台，那么这种“党国”体系逐渐被理解为专制与暴政的傀儡、个人或小集团统治的面纱。这样的“党国”体系由暴力机关和内部恐怖机构的强制力支持着，依照个人或小集团反复无常的念头统治着国家。在这种背景下，宪政是不可理解的。同样的，这些评判形成了分析中国宪政的基础。特别是在看待邓小平和他1989年以后的继任者们的改革方面，这些评判已作为批评中国宪政的基础理论。然而，这些批评成立、并且普遍适用于1989年之后的中国社会现实吗？本文将探讨这些问题，并提出一种理论基础——遵循一定的路线，如何使建立在“党国”模式之上的国家的宪政法制化。本文关注中国1989年之后的“党国”宪政的演进，并首先回顾现代宪政理论的基本原则，以及它作为评判国家组织形式、政府官员行为的国际意识形态标准的重要性。接下来，本文将目光投向“党国”模式的演进——从它的源头，十九世纪欧洲的马克思列宁主义思想，到它被二十世界二十年代的中国接受，再到它在当今中国“马列主义毛泽东思想、邓小平理论以及三个代表重要思想引导下” （2004年中华人民共和国宪法，序言）发生的转变。根据这样的演进，本文指出，在理论上构建一个以依法治国为基础的“党国”模式的政权，并不悖宪政原则，是可行的。中国的“党国”宪政理论需要重新定义宪法——这样的宪法需要囊括组织国家政权的文件，同时也囊括组织一个平行与国家权力的政党的文件。这同样建立在对于共产党属性的不同理解上——不是一个政党或私人行为者，而是政府结构的内部组成部分，更重要的是，作为政治公民权的持有人。本文最后将使用全球的宪政标准来衡量中国的宪政，并依据以上观点得出结论。这些包括对于“党国”结构的思考：（1）划分不同的公民权—— 不同于社会公民与经济公民权，政治公民权由政党来支配；（2）国家权力和制度从属于政治权威；（3）多党制被作为实现宪政价值的资源与渠道；（4）在这个体制中，法制依靠国家于党的自律。中国的宪政，作为“党国”的宪政，可以用来理解依法治国。在这样的依法治国概念中，宪政约束的重点不是国家机器，而是政党组织。由此，中国的宪政法制，应当理解为“党国”的宪政。从而，“党国”体系可以被称为一种合法的宪政体系，虽然它的实质价值有别世俗的、国际的宪政。这就是有中国特色的宪政。
A working draft of the paper will be posted soon.
The conference had many superb speakers who contributed greatly to the production of knowledge about the development of Chinese constitutionalism from a perspective less often aired in the West. Many of the papers presented will be published in the Journal of Chinese and Comparative Law. The following was the program for that conference:
Programme (會議日程)
17 October 2008 (Friday)
二零零八年十月十七日 (星期五)
Opening Session: 9:15 - 9:30 am
Registration 登記
9:30 – 10:00 am Opening Session : 開幕儀式 :
Professor Wang Guiguo Dean, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong: 王貴國教授
城市大學法律學院院長
Professor Han Dayuan, Chairman of Chinese Constitutional Law Association: 韓大元教授
中國法學會憲法研究會會長
17 October 2008 (Friday): 二零零八年十月十七日 (星期五)
10:30 am - 12:20 pm
First Session : 第一節 :
Chair 主席：Professor Albert Chen 陳弘毅教授
Theme 主題: Constitutionalism in China (Theory and History) 中國的憲政（理論和歷史）
Panel發言人：
10:30 am - 10:50 am
Professor Yeong-Chin Su
College of Law, National Chengchi University, Chairman of National Communications Commission: 蘇永欽教授 政治大學法律系教授、國家通訊傳播委員會主任委員
Constitutional Moments in the Chinese Context 中國語境中的憲法時刻
10:50 am - 11:10 am
Professor Michael Dowdle
Visiting Professor, Singapore National University
Beyond 'Judicial Power': Exploring for Constitutionalism in 21st Century China
二十一世紀中國憲政探索
11:10 am - 11:30 am
Professor Lin Laifan, School of Law, Zhejiang University
林來梵教授 浙江大學法學院
Historical Development of the Concept of Constitutionalism with Chinese Characteristics
中國式憲政的概念發展史
Discussion 討論
11:30 am - 11:45 am
Professor Joseph Cheng, Chair Professor of Political Science, City University of Hong Kong
鄭宇碩教授 城巿大學政治科學
Commentators
評論者
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Prof Michael Davis, Faculty of Social Sciences
Chinese University of Hong Kong
2:00 pm to 3:50 pm
Second Session : 第二節：
Chair 主席：
Prof Yogesh Tyagi Theme 主題：
Constitutionalism in China (Practice) (I): 中國的憲政（實踐）(第一部份)
Panel發言人：
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Professor Han Dayuan, School of Law, Renmin University
韓大元教授 中國人民大學法學院
The Concept of Basic Rights in the Context of Chinese Constitution—Its Origin and Evolvement in China
中國憲法學語境中的基本權利概念—基本權利概念在中國的起源與演變
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm
Professor Mo Jihong, Law Institute, China Academy of Social Science
莫紀宏教授 中國社會科學院法學院
Constitutional Law of China and Its Development
中國憲法及其發展
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm
Zou Pinxue, School of Law, Shenzhen University
鄒平學教授 深圳大學法學院
Opportunities and Challenges for the Constitutional Construction in Current China
當代中國憲政建設面臨的機遇和挑戰
Discussion 討論
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Professor Yeong-Chin Su
College of Law, National Chengchi University, Chairman of National Communications Commission 蘇永欽教授
政治大學法律系教授、國家通訊傳播委員會主任委員
Commentators 評論者
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Professor Hu Jinguang, School of Law, Renmin University
胡錦光教授 中國人民大學法學院
4:10 pm – 6:00 pm
Third Session :
第三節 :
Chair 主席：
Professor Anton Cooray
Theme 主題：
Constitutionalism in China (Practice) (II): 中國的憲政（實踐）(第二部份)
Panel發言人：
4:10 pm - 4:30 pm
Professor Larry Catá Backer
Professor of Law, Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law-University Park Campus
The Communist Party and the Constitutional State: A Theory of Constitutionalism and the Party-State 共產黨與憲法國家：一種憲政及黨與國家的理論
4:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Professor Fan Jinxue, School of Law, Shandong University
樊進學教授 山東大學法學院
The Development of the Ruling Party’s Constitutional Consciousness and the Future of Constitutionalism in China
執政黨的憲政修養發展與中國憲政的未來
4:50 pm - 5:10 pm
Dr Lin Feng, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
林峰博士 城巿大學法律學院
Constitutionalism in China under the Leadership of CPC: Is it Possible?
中國在共產黨領導下走向憲政---可能嗎？
5:10 pm - 5:25 pm
Prof Xiao Beigeng, School of Law, Hunan Normal University
肖北庚教授 湖南師範大學法學院
Democracy in Consultation: New Trend in China’s Constitutional Democracy
協商民主：中國憲政民主新趨勢
Discussion 討論
5:25 pm – 5:40 pm
Prof Jean-Pierre CABESTAN
Head of Dept of International Relations, HKBU (confirmed)
Commentators 評論者
5:40 pm – 6:00 pm
Professor Tong Zhiwei, East China University of Law and Political Science
童之偉教授 華東政法大學
18 October 2008 (Saturday)
二零零八年十月十八日 (星期六)
9:00 am – 10:50 am
Fourth Session : 第四節 :
Chair 主席：
Professor Lin Laifan 林來梵教授
Theme 主題：
Constitutionalism in China (Practice): 中國的憲政（實踐）(第三部份)
Panel發言人：
9:00 am - 9:20 am
Professor Tong Zhiwei, East China University of Law and Political Science
童之偉教授 華東政法大學
Assessment of Short-term Trend in China’s Constitutional Development
中國憲制發展中短期態勢評估
9:20 am - 9:40 am
Professor Dong Heping, North-west University of Political Science and Law
董和平教授 西北政法大學
The Route and Procedure for Constitutional Reform in China
從體制內憲政微調到體制本身的憲政優化-關於中國憲政改革路徑和步驟的思考
9:40 am - 10:00 am
Professor Hu Jinguang, School of Law, Renmin University
胡錦光教授 中國人民大學法學院
Evolution and Challenge of Review of Public Authority in China
論中國對公權力審查的演進與挑戰
Discussion 討論
10:00 am - 10:15 am
Dr Zhu Guobin, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
朱國斌博士 香港城巿大學法律學院
Commentators 評論者
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Professor Wang Dezhi, School of Law, Shandong University
王德志教授 山東大學法學院
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Fifth Session : 第五節 :
Chair 主席：
Prof Mo Ji Hong
Theme 主題：
Comparative Study of Practice of Constitutionalism (Part I): 憲政實踐之比較研究(第一部份)
Panel發言人：
11:00 am - 11:20 am
Professor Christian W. Haerpfer, Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations King's College University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Democratic Transformations in Post-Communist Europe and Post-Soviet Eurasia
後共產主義歐洲及後蘇聯時期歐亞的民主轉型
11:20 am - 11:40 am
Dr Surya Deva, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
The Right to Property in a Socialist Constitution: A Review of the Role of Indian Judiciary
社會主義憲法中的財產權：對印度司法機構作用的考查
Discussion 討論
11:40 pm - 11:55 am
Mr P Y Lo, Barrister, member of the Bar Council, Hong Kong Bar Association
羅沛然大律師 香港大律師公會
Commentators 評論者
11:55 am - 12:10 pm
Prof HP Lee, Faculty of Law, Monash University
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sixth Session : 第六節 :
Chair 主席：
Prof Han Daynan
Theme 主題：
Comparative Study of Practice of Constitutionalism (Part II): 憲政實踐之比較研究(第二部份)
Panel發言人：
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Professor Suzuki Ken, Hokudai University, Japan
鈴木賢教授 北海道大學
Judicial Implementation of Constitutional Norms: A Comparison between Japan and China
通過司法實踐憲法的規範-從中日比較的角度出發
2:20 pm - 2:40 pm
Prof HP Lee, Faculty of Law, Monash University, Australia
The Advancement of Constitutionalism in China - Lessons From Abroad, with Particular Reference to Australia, UK, Malaysia and Singapore
中國憲政之發展--外國（尤其是澳大利亞，英國，馬來西亞及新加坡）的經驗
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm
Professor Ahl Bjorn, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
伯陽教授 香港城巿大學法律學院
The Development of Constitutional Supremacy: German Experiences and their Relevance for China
憲政至上原則的發展：德國的經驗及與中國的關係
Discussion 討論
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Professor Mo Jihong, Law Institute, China Academy of Social Science
莫紀宏教授 中國社會科學院法學院
Commentators
評論者
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Professor Lin Laifan, School of Law, Zhejiang University
林來梵教授 浙江大學法學院
3:50 pm – 4:00 pm
Closing Remark
閉幕儀式
Prof Gu Minkang, Associate Dean, School of Law, City University of Hong Kong
顧敏康教授 城市大學法律學院
For my own contribution, I presented a paper entitled The Communist Party and the Constitutional State: A Theory of Constitutionalism and the Party-State 共產黨與憲法國家：一種憲政及黨與國家的理論. Here is the abstract in English roughly translated into Chinese (Mandarin):
ABSTRACT:
Since the establishment of the Soviet Union, constitutional theory has tended to look suspiciously at the constitutionalization of Marxist Leninist state apparatus under the control of a single party in power. There is a sense of illegitimacy, and a suggestion of the construction of sham constitutions, in regimes in which the ultimate state power is vested in an apparatus which itself is subject to the direction of an extra constitutional power, which in turn is meant to mask personal rule. With state under Party, and Party a system of leveraging personal power, the state-party system had come to be understood as a cover for tyranny and despotism, as a veil over the personal rule of an individual or a clique according to their whim and supported by the coercive power of military establishments and internal terror regimes. In this context, constitutionalism is incomprehensible. These judgments have formed the basis of analysis of Chinese constitutionalism as well, serving as the foundations for critique especially after the reforms of Deng Xiaping and his successors after 1989. But are these criticisms inevitably correct in general, and wholly applicable in the post 1989 Chinese context? This paper explores those questions, suggesting a basis for the articulation of a legitimizing constitutionalist theory for states organized on a state-party model along certain lines. Focusing on the evolution of state-party constitutionalism in China since 1989, the article first reviews the basic principles of current constitutionalism theory and its importance as a legitimating global ideology against which state organization, and the actions of state officials, are judged. The article then looks to the evolution of the party-state model of governance from its origins in 19th century European Marxist-Leninist theory to its reception in China in the 1920s, and its modern transformation “under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of 'Three Represents'” (PRC Constitution 2004, Preamble). Drawing from the implications of the evolution of theories of state-party constitutionalism in China, the article suggests that it is possible to theorize a state-party model of state organization that remains true to the ideals of constitutionalism grounded in the core postulate of rule of law governance. The basis of Chinese state-party constitutionalism requires a reconception of an understanding of constitution—to include both the document constituting the state and that constituting the Party as equivalent components that together form the national constitution as understood in the West. It is also based on a different understanding of the character of the Communist Party—not as a political party or as a private actor but as an integral part of the institutional structure of government, and more importantly, as the holder of political citizenship. These insights produce substantial consequences for the ways in which Chinese constitutionalism are understood and evaluated under global constitutionalist standards, which are discussed in the last section of the paper. These include the reflection of the party-state construct (1) in a division of the character of citizenship between economic and social citizenship, claimed by all persons, and political citizenship, which can be exercised through the Party, (2) in an understanding of political organization in which the state power and its institutions are subordinate to political authority, (3) in an institutionalization of political authority within a collective that serves as the source and conduit of constitutional values to be applied by the holders of state authority, and (4) in a system in which Party elaboration of rule of law values is contingent on state and party self discipline. Chinese constitutionalism, understood as state and party constitutionalism can, together, serve as a basis for understanding the way in which rule of law governance is legitimately possible where the disciplinary focus of constitutional duty is focused, not primarily on the state apparatus, but instead centers on the Party apparatus. Rule of law constitutionalism in China, then, is better understood as state-party constitutionalism, with a necessary focus on party rather than state. But thus constructed, even state-party systems can claim a certain legitimacy as a constitutionalist system—though one whose substantive values are inconsistent with those of secular transnationalist constitutionalist states. This is constitutionalism with Chinese characteristics.
摘要：
自 前苏联 成立以来，宪政理论始终试图以怀疑的目光审视一党专政之下的马克思列宁主义国家政权。当国家的最高权力被授予某一个机构，而这个机构受制于一种超越宪法的外力，并且这种外力意味着个人统治的面具，这时，这个国家的宪法被认为是不合法并且是虚伪的。当国家受制于政党，而政党成为个人权力博弈的平台，那么这种“党国”体系逐渐被理解为专制与暴政的傀儡、个人或小集团统治的面纱。这样的“党国”体系由暴力机关和内部恐怖机构的强制力支持着，依照个人或小集团反复无常的念头统治着国家。在这种背景下，宪政是不可理解的。同样的，这些评判形成了分析中国宪政的基础。特别是在看待邓小平和他1989年以后的继任者们的改革方面，这些评判已作为批评中国宪政的基础理论。然而，这些批评成立、并且普遍适用于1989年之后的中国社会现实吗？本文将探讨这些问题，并提出一种理论基础——遵循一定的路线，如何使建立在“党国”模式之上的国家的宪政法制化。本文关注中国1989年之后的“党国”宪政的演进，并首先回顾现代宪政理论的基本原则，以及它作为评判国家组织形式、政府官员行为的国际意识形态标准的重要性。接下来，本文将目光投向“党国”模式的演进——从它的源头，十九世纪欧洲的马克思列宁主义思想，到它被二十世界二十年代的中国接受，再到它在当今中国“马列主义毛泽东思想、邓小平理论以及三个代表重要思想引导下” （2004年中华人民共和国宪法，序言）发生的转变。根据这样的演进，本文指出，在理论上构建一个以依法治国为基础的“党国”模式的政权，并不悖宪政原则，是可行的。中国的“党国”宪政理论需要重新定义宪法——这样的宪法需要囊括组织国家政权的文件，同时也囊括组织一个平行与国家权力的政党的文件。这同样建立在对于共产党属性的不同理解上——不是一个政党或私人行为者，而是政府结构的内部组成部分，更重要的是，作为政治公民权的持有人。本文最后将使用全球的宪政标准来衡量中国的宪政，并依据以上观点得出结论。这些包括对于“党国”结构的思考：（1）划分不同的公民权—— 不同于社会公民与经济公民权，政治公民权由政党来支配；（2）国家权力和制度从属于政治权威；（3）多党制被作为实现宪政价值的资源与渠道；（4）在这个体制中，法制依靠国家于党的自律。中国的宪政，作为“党国”的宪政，可以用来理解依法治国。在这样的依法治国概念中，宪政约束的重点不是国家机器，而是政党组织。由此，中国的宪政法制，应当理解为“党国”的宪政。从而，“党国”体系可以被称为一种合法的宪政体系，虽然它的实质价值有别世俗的、国际的宪政。这就是有中国特色的宪政。
A working draft of the paper will be posted soon.
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