改革与法制：中国传统“变法”观念与实践的历史考量

本文运用历史研究与法理分析相结合的方法，以中国传统改革与法制的关系为研究对象，以先秦时期由法家所发明的用于描述与解释改革与法制关系的核心观念――“变法”，在春秋战国时代、中华帝制时代及晚清时代的观念表现、保持、转化以及实践应用为研究范围。旨在探索中华民族历史上的社会重大转型时期，“变法”观念的时代转化以及改革与法制关系的基本模式；在反思中国传统“变法”观念与实践历史嬗变的基础上，为当代改革与法治关系模式的提炼寻求历史借鉴。
This paper uses the methods of historical research and jurisprudential analysis to study the relationships between Chinese traditional reform and legality. So it explores the core concept of “political reform” which was initiated by Legalists, explained the relationships between reform and legality and described the expression, maintenance, transformation and practical application of the concept during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period, Chinese monarchism period and the late Ming and Qing dynasties. The article aims to explore the different expressions of the conception of “political reform” over time and the basic mode of the relationships between reform and “political reform” in the great social transformation period in the history of Chinese nation. This article, based on reflections on the practice and transformation of the conception of “political reform”, provides historical experiences for the contemporary reform and the rule of law.