2008年文登学校春季词汇班精彩文篇推荐(六)

时间:2007-07-17 02:44:37

(单词翻译:单击)

第六篇

Judges, Democracy, and Natural Law

(1) Though people on both sides regret for them, these annual summer disputes over Supreme1 Court nominees2 can be valuable exercises in civic3 education. The Robert Borkathon of 1987 forced millions of Americans to think about the role of a constitution in a democracy: the proper way to interpret 200-year-old phrases, the conflict between majority rule and individual freedom, and so on.

(2) This summer President Bush’s ______ of Clarence Thomas has unexpectedly plunged4 the nation even deeper into the pool of first principles. America finds itself debating natural law. An enthusiasm for something called “natural law” is one of the repeated themes in Thomas’ slim collection of writings and speeches. What he means by natural law and what uses he would put it to as a life-tenured? Supreme Court Justice are not clear. This justifiably5 alarms some people, who are worried that “natural law” could become an excuse for a conser-vative judge to impose his political agenda — just as conservatives have accused liberal judges of using “pri-vacy” to do the same thing.

(3) In fact, though, the two questions can be separated. Is there something called natural law? And is it a le-gitimate basis for judges to overrule the wishes of the majority as expressed in laws of a less elevated sort?

(4) At this point in American history, the answer to the first question is beyond challenge. Yes, as far as the U.S. is concerned, natural law exists. The “Laws of Nature” are right there in the first sentence of the Declara-tion of Independence. The second and most famous sentence provides a perfect definition of natural law: human beings are “endowed? by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights,” including “ Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (5) Where do these rights come from? Some may have trouble with the concept of a divine creator. Others may find it overly metaphysical? to insist that every human being has these rights in a world where most people are plainly unfree to exercise them. But few can doubt that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are what a civilized6 society ought to strive to provide its members. As the Declaration says, that is the reason “Govern-ments are instituted.” It is “self-evident.” That’s good enough for me.

(6) But just because rights exist, this does not mean it is the role of judges to enforce them. The ______ of ju-dicial review — the power of unelected judges to overrule the democratic branches of government — is a funny business. Judges do not have that power in other major democracies, and it is not explicitly7 authorized8 in the U.S. Constitution. It emerges, rather, from the structure of our government. As Justice John Marshall first reasoned in Marbury vs. Madison (1803): faced with a conflict between a law and a constitutional provision, judges must honor the Constitution. All government officials should do the same. The Supreme Court’s inter-pretation of the Constitution is definitive9 only because procedurally it comes last.

(7) The Constitution lists certain rights, and others (such as the right to vote) are implied in the structure of government it sets up. But nothing in the constitutional structure of the government gives the Supreme Court authority to overrule the other branches on the basis of unwritten natural law. Judicial10 review, a bold claim at first, is now so well established that we’ve come to feel that a right doesn’t exist unless a judge can enforce it. But enforcing a right means interpreting it, and exclusive power to interpret a concept as vague as natural law should not be given to the unelected branch of government. The job of protecting our nonconstitutional rights belongs to those who most directly “derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,” as the Declara-tion has it: elected officials.

(8) The Declaration speaks of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Constitution refers more lit-erally to “life, liberty, or property.” It’s an illuminating11 difference. Furthermore, the Constitution does not guar-antee these values in absolute terms. It protects them only from deprivation12 by the government itself, and even in that regard it promises only procedural fairness and equal treatment. The authors were surely wise to narrow the focus. What would be left of democracy if judges could roam the landscape striking down anything that — in their opinion — interfered13 with somebody’s pursuit of happiness?

(9) All this is not to say that natural-law concepts have no role to play in constitutional interpretation14. Many people, for example, find it hard to understand why freedom of speech must be extended to Nazis15 and others who do not believe in free speech themselves and would deny it to others if they could. The answer is that the Bill of Rights is based on the theory of natural law, not on the alternative theory of a social contract. You are ______ to these rights simply because you are a human being, not because you have agreed, literally16 or meta-phorically, to honor them.

(10) Majestic17 phrases like “due process of law” require analysis. Even the strictest constructionists would ac-cept that the natural-law thinking of the 18th century is useful in divining the framers’ “original intent.”

(11) Some enthusiasts18 see the Ninth Amendment19 — which provides that the list of rights in the Constitution “shall not be interpreted to deny or disparage20 others retained by the people” — as a direct incorporation21 of natural law. The fact that these enthusiasts include would-be judicial activists22 of both the left and the right ought to dim the enthusiasm of both groups. The point is that the people do have rights not derived23 from the Constitu-tion — natural rights, if you will — but judges have no special authority to enforce those rights.

(12) Clarence Thomas may well be claiming no special authority for judges when he invokes24? natural law and natural rights. In that case, there is no problem. If he has more ambitious notions, there is a serious problem. And the fact that liberal Justices may have had overreaching notions of their own in the past is mere25 irony26.

【参考译文】法官、民主与自然法

(1) 尽管两边人马都对每年夏天最高法院****官提名时的争执没有好感,它其实大可以作为公民教育的宝贵教材。1987年因博卡桑被提名而引发的马拉松式争辩,迫使数百万美国人去思考宪法在民主政体中所扮演的角色:200年前写下来的条文该如何诠释,多数决定与个人自由之间的冲突又该如何调解。

(2) 今夏布什总统出人意料地提名托马斯,使全国更加深陷于基本原则的泥沼。美国突然间掀起了一股论辨自然法的风潮。托马斯其人论述不丰,可是对所谓“自然法”的热中是他书中反复出现的主题之一。到目前为止,没人知道他说的自然法到底是什么东西,以及他当上了终身职的****官之后要怎样运用自然法。也难怪有不少人会因此而感到不安了,他们担心“自然法”会变成这位保守派法官推行他政治计划的借口——就好像保守派曾经指控自由派法官利用“隐私权”来达到同样的目的一样。

(3) 事实上,这两个问题可以分开来谈。首先,有没有自然法这回事?其次,法官能不能用自然法为充分的基础,来推翻较低位阶法律中所展现的多数人意见。

(4)从美国历史发展至此来看,第一个问题的答案是确切无疑的。是的,在美国,自然法是存在的。在独立宣言头一句中“自然的法则”一语便道尽了一切。最有名的是第二个句子为自然法写下了完美的定义:“造物主赋予人类无法剥夺的权利”,包括“生命权、自由权,以及追求幸福的权利。”

(5) 这些权利从何而来?有些人可能难以接受“神圣造物主”的观念。而且,会有一些人认为,如果说每一个人与生俱来就拥有权利,然而,世界上却有大部分的人明显地不能自由行使这些权利,那么这种说法未免也太空洞了。可是,很少有人会反对文明社会应该为它的人民设法提供生命、自由、与追求幸福的权利。如同独立宣言所称,那就是“设立政府”的原因所在。而这也是“不辩自明”的。我可以接受这种说法。

(6) 可是,权利存在,并不表示说法官就该扮演执行它的角色。司法复审的制度——非民选的法官有权否决政府民选部门(行政、立法)的决定——这是满奇怪的制度。其它主要民主国家的法官并没有这样的权利,在美国宪法中也没有明文授予法官这种权利。其实它是来自于美国的政府结构。****官约翰? 马歇尔在《马伯里对麦迪逊案》(1803)中首度做出这样的推理:面对法律与宪法条款冲突时,法官应以宪法为重,其余所有的政府官员亦然。最高法院的释宪具有最高的权威,只因为它在程序上排在最后。

(7)宪法中列举了一些权利出来,还有一些别的权利(例如投票权)是在宪法组成的政府构造中暗示存在的。可是政府的宪法结构中并没有那一点可以赋予最高法院权利,令其仅凭不具文的自然法就足以翻推行政、立法部门的决定。司法复审在刚提出时是很大胆的主张,现在则已根深蒂固,我们甚至觉得除了法官能够执行的权利之外别无权利可言。可是执行一项权利表示执行者要诠释权利的含义。像自然法这么模糊的概念,诠释它的责任不能完全交给政府中非民选的部门——司法机关。谁来保护我们宪法中未明言的权利?根据《独立宣言》所说,应该是最直接“从被治理者手中取得权力者”,也就是民选官员。

(8)《独立宣言》说的是“生命、自由、与追求幸福”的权利。宪法则比较平实地提及“生命、自由、或财产”。这两者之间的差别颇具深意。而且,宪法中并不保障人们绝对拥有这些权利。它只是保护这些权利不受政府本身的剥夺,而且即使在这一方面也只能保障程序的公平与平等待遇。宪法起草人把范围缩小是聪明的。如果法官能够四处横行,打倒一切只要他们认为是妨碍某人追求幸福的事物,民主会变成什么面目?

(9)这样说并不表示自然法的观念在释宪工作上没有意义。例如,有许多人不了解,为什么像纳粹这一类的人,他们自己并不支持言论自由,而且还想尽办法剥夺别人的言论自由,宪法竟然也要保障他们的言论自由。这个道理在于:美国宪法修正案中保障言论等自由的人权条款是建立在自然法的理论上,而不是建立于另一种理论——社会合约上。你享有这些权利,只因为你是人,不是因为你以文字或象征方式同意要支持这些权利。

(10) 像“正当法律程序”这类庄严的词语需要在文意上加以分析。就连最坚持要狭义解释宪法的人也会同意,18世纪有关自然法的思想有助于推测立宪者的“原意”。

(11)有一些热中人士认为宪法第九修正案就是直接把自然法纳入宪法的法源。这条修正案表示,宪法中列举出来的权利“不得被诠释为除此之外人民就不拥有其它的权利,或者其它的权利就不受重视。”可是,这些热中人士当中包括了左右两派的司法活跃分子——这一点就足以让两边人马冷却一下。重点在于:人民确实拥有非来自于宪法的权利——喜欢的话你可以叫它自然权利——可是法官并没有特别的职权可以执行这些权利。

(12)托马斯提及自然法与自然权利时,可能并没有主张法官有特别的职权。如果是这样的话,一切就都没有问题。如果他的野心尚不只于此,那么问题就严重了。至于从前自由派的法官自己也可能和托马斯一样,曾经有非分的念头,这只不过是一大讽刺罢了。


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1 supreme PHqzc     
adj.极度的,最重要的;至高的,最高的
参考例句:
  • It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
  • He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
2 nominees 3e8d8b25ccc8228c71eef17be7bb2d5f     
n.被提名者,被任命者( nominee的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • She's one of the nominees. 她是被提名者之一。 来自超越目标英语 第2册
  • A startling number of his nominees for senior positions have imploded. 他所提名的高级官员被否决的数目令人震惊。 来自互联网
3 civic Fqczn     
adj.城市的,都市的,市民的,公民的
参考例句:
  • I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
  • The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。
4 plunged 06a599a54b33c9d941718dccc7739582     
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降
参考例句:
  • The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
  • She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳,从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。
5 justifiably ap9zrc     
adv.无可非议地
参考例句:
  • There General Walters would come aboard to greet me, justifiably beaming with pride at his arrangement. 在那儿沃尔特斯将军会登上飞机来接我,理所当然为他们的安排感到洋洋得意。 来自辞典例句
  • The Chinese seemed justifiably proud of their economic achievements. 中国人似乎为他们的经济成就感到自豪,这是无可非议的。 来自互联网
6 civilized UwRzDg     
a.有教养的,文雅的
参考例句:
  • Racism is abhorrent to a civilized society. 文明社会憎恶种族主义。
  • rising crime in our so-called civilized societies 在我们所谓文明社会中日益增多的犯罪行为
7 explicitly JtZz2H     
ad.明确地,显然地
参考例句:
  • The plan does not explicitly endorse the private ownership of land. 该计划没有明确地支持土地私有制。
  • SARA amended section 113 to provide explicitly for a right to contribution. 《最高基金修正与再授权法案》修正了第123条,清楚地规定了分配权。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
8 authorized jyLzgx     
a.委任的,许可的
参考例句:
  • An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。
9 definitive YxSxF     
adj.确切的,权威性的;最后的,决定性的
参考例句:
  • This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
  • No one has come up with a definitive answer as to why this should be so.至于为什么该这样,还没有人给出明确的答复。
10 judicial c3fxD     
adj.司法的,法庭的,审判的,明断的,公正的
参考例句:
  • He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
  • Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。
11 illuminating IqWzgS     
a.富于启发性的,有助阐明的
参考例句:
  • We didn't find the examples he used particularly illuminating. 我们觉得他采用的那些例证启发性不是特别大。
  • I found his talk most illuminating. 我觉得他的话很有启发性。
12 deprivation e9Uy7     
n.匮乏;丧失;夺去,贫困
参考例句:
  • Many studies make it clear that sleep deprivation is dangerous.多实验都证实了睡眠被剥夺是危险的。
  • Missing the holiday was a great deprivation.错过假日是极大的损失。
13 interfered 71b7e795becf1adbddfab2cd6c5f0cff     
v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 );调停;妨碍;干涉
参考例句:
  • Complete absorption in sports interfered with his studies. 专注于运动妨碍了他的学业。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I am not going to be interfered with. 我不想别人干扰我的事情。 来自《简明英汉词典》
14 interpretation P5jxQ     
n.解释,说明,描述;艺术处理
参考例句:
  • His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。
  • Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。
15 Nazis 39168f65c976085afe9099ea0411e9a5     
n.(德国的)纳粹党员( Nazi的名词复数 );纳粹主义
参考例句:
  • The Nazis worked them over with gun butts. 纳粹分子用枪托毒打他们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The Nazis were responsible for the mass murder of Jews during World War Ⅱ. 纳粹必须为第二次世界大战中对犹太人的大屠杀负责。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 literally 28Wzv     
adv.照字面意义,逐字地;确实
参考例句:
  • He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
  • Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候,她不走到真正要昏厥了,决不肯坐下来。
17 majestic GAZxK     
adj.雄伟的,壮丽的,庄严的,威严的,崇高的
参考例句:
  • In the distance rose the majestic Alps.远处耸立着雄伟的阿尔卑斯山。
  • He looks majestic in uniform.他穿上军装显得很威风。
18 enthusiasts 7d5827a9c13ecd79a8fd94ebb2537412     
n.热心人,热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册
19 amendment Mx8zY     
n.改正,修正,改善,修正案
参考例句:
  • The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
  • The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。
20 disparage nldzJ     
v.贬抑,轻蔑
参考例句:
  • Your behaviour will disparage the whole family.你的行为将使全家丢脸。
  • Never disparage yourself or minimize your strength or power.不要贬低你自己或降低你的力量或能力。
21 incorporation bq7z8F     
n.设立,合并,法人组织
参考例句:
  • The incorporation of air bubbles in the glass spoiled it.玻璃含有气泡,使它质量降低。
  • The company will be retooled after the incorporation.合并之后的公司要进行重组。
22 activists 90fd83cc3f53a40df93866d9c91bcca4     
n.(政治活动的)积极分子,活动家( activist的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
  • Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 derived 6cddb7353e699051a384686b6b3ff1e2     
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取
参考例句:
  • Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
24 invokes fc473a1a023d32fa292eb356a237b5d0     
v.援引( invoke的第三人称单数 );行使(权利等);祈求救助;恳求
参考例句:
  • The Roundtable statement invokes the principles of the free market system. 企业界圆桌会议的声明援用了自由市场制度的原则。 来自辞典例句
  • When no more storage is available, the system invokes a garbage collector. 当没有可用的存贮时,系统就调用无用单元收集程序。 来自辞典例句
25 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
26 irony P4WyZ     
n.反语,冷嘲;具有讽刺意味的事,嘲弄
参考例句:
  • She said to him with slight irony.她略带嘲讽地对他说。
  • In her voice we could sense a certain tinge of irony.从她的声音里我们可以感到某种讥讽的意味。

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