Law and Reason: Interpretation of the Modernity of Law

Author: Ge Hongyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-08-01
Features: The modernity of law has become a central topic of discussion in the academic world, particularly in Western countries since the mid-20th century, and in China in recent years. However, compared to the West, the modern legal issues in China share both similarities and differences. In China, law has long been regarded as a tool at the instrumental level. Ancient Chinese viewed law as a means for rulers to govern their subjects, while in modern Chinese society, law serves as a tool for pursuing global modernization, much like managing technology, science, and culture. Thus, in China, law has rarely been a subject of intellectual discourse, or rather, not an object that intellectuals can calmly discuss. In countries with well-developed rule of law, people cannot take even a single step without law. In modern life, the extensive and enduring role of law is something our predecessors could hardly imagine. People not only use law to confirm, maintain, and strengthen the existing social order but also attempt to create a brand-new society through law. This is a direct result of the modernization of law.