总则概述：公民宪法的灵魂
作者：程伟
编辑：周志刚 责任编辑：钟然 校对：林小龙 翻译：吕峰
引言：一部优秀的宪法乃法治之魂
在历史的洪流中，宪法的意义不仅在于规范权力，更在于勾勒出一个国家的精神与未来。《公民宪法》以民治、民主、民权、民生、民族为核心政治理论，构建了一套完整的宪政蓝图。其第一章总则，作为宪法的灵魂篇章，明确了国家、宪法和军队的定义，明确了公民的权利与义务，并以特别条款为宪法注入了特别的权力制约体系。《公民宪法》以民治为核心，超越了现代民主政治的理论范式，勾勒出未来公民自治型社会的愿景。本文将初步解读第一章内容，并在后续文章当中逐条解读每一条款的详细内容，揭开《公民宪法》的思想内核，带领读者走进中国民主未来的宏伟蓝图。
一、公民宪法的精髓：民治为魂
《公民宪法》是以“民治”为核心的全新政治哲学，由民治逐步推导出民主、民权、民生和民族，民治是“1”，民主、民权、民生、民族以及更多的公民权利则是“1”后面的“0”，没有民治这个“1”，有再多的“0”都是毫无意义的存在。民治由两个核心理论组成：一为公民自治，即自我管理，强调个人在社会生活中的自主性以及权利与义务，一个人处于社会中有义务进行自我管理，公民负有义务的同时则享有对等的权利，享有权利的同时则需要负有对等的义务；二为公民治理国家，公民治理国家是公民直接参与国家事务的权力，国家是公民组成的国家，是公民治理国家，而非国家（统治者）统治公民。这一核心理念打破了传统政治的精英垄断权力、王权（皇权）垄断权力的传统政治理论，主张公民不仅是权力的来源，更是治理的主体。是由公民来治理国家。
由民治出发，引导出民主为公民表达意志的机制制度，即为民主之制度；因有民主之制度，方可保障个人的自由与尊严，以及其他诸多方面的公民权利，即为民权；因公民有了民权，公民能有效行使民权，以建立一个关注公平与福祉的社会，即为民生；公民的生存得以更好的保障，人们才有更多的可能复兴民族的文化，民族文化能守护国家的独立与文化传承，民族即民族之文化。《公民宪法》以民治为根，串联起民主、民权、民生、民族，形成一个逻辑闭环的政治理论体系，为中国未来的民主化政治体制提供了理论支点。
二、《公民宪法》的核心内容：第一章 总则
第一章总则作为《公民宪法》的开篇，奠定了宪法的基调与框架，其内容涵盖以下关键要素：
国家的定义：第一章明确国家为“民治之国”，主权完全归于全体公民。国家不仅是一个政治实体，更是公民共同意志的体现，旨在实现民治之下的公平、正义与繁荣。
宪法的定义：宪法被定义为国家的最高法律，超越一切权势，确保民治、民主、民权、民生、民族的原则贯穿治理始终，确保国家的法治根基牢固，公权力的来源正当。
军队的定义：军队被定义为“公民的军队、国家的军队”，其核心职责是保卫国家主权与公民权利，而非服务于任何个人或派系，杜绝军事干政的可能性。
公民的权利与义务：公民享有广泛的自由，包括言论、结社、信仰等，同时负有参与公共事务、维护社会秩序的义务。民治理念贯穿其中，鼓励公民通过选举、监督与直接参与，共同塑造国家的未来。
宪法的特别条款：第一章引入创新的特别条款，为宪法的灵活性与适应性提供保障。这些条款允许在特殊情况下调整治理机制，以应对危机或重大社会变革，确保宪法的生命力。
三、公民宪法对中国民主的启示
《公民宪法》第一章以民治为核心，勾勒出中国民主的独特路径。它回应了西方民主在中国的“水土不服”，避免了过度集权与民粹主义的双重陷阱。通过将公民自我管理与国家治理相结合，《公民宪法》赋予公民前所未有的主体地位，打破了传统政治的被动参与模式。同时，其对军队的严格定义与公民权利义务的平衡设计，确保了政治体制的稳定性和可持续性。特别条款的设置则为宪法注入动态适应能力，使其能够应对技术革命、全球化等新挑战。在当今世界，民主的实践面临诸多困境：西方民主饱受分裂与低效之苦，威权体制则难以回应人民对自由的渴望。《公民宪法》提供了一种“第三条道路”，既继承了中国传统的政治智慧，又吸纳了现代民主的普世价值，并结合了中国的实际国情和世界主流政治体制发展的方向。它不仅是一部法律文本，更是一场关于中国民主未来的思想实验，也是全体中国人相互签署的共同契约，激发我们思考，促使我们团结：如何在保持国家稳定与文化自信的同时，赋予公民真正的治理权力？
结语：迈向民主的星辰大海
《公民宪法》第一章总则以民治为魂，勾勒出一幅令人振奋的民主图景。它告诉我们，中国的民主未来不是对西方的简单模仿，而是植根于自身文明的创新实践。践行民治、民主、民权、民生和民族政治理念，促进中国迈向一个自由、民主、正义、平等、求实和繁荣的未来。
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————《公民宪法》撰写人程伟/何清风，一身正气、两袖清风。
On the Future of Chinese Democracy: An Interpretation of The Citizen Constitution, Part IGeneral Principles: The Soul of the Citizen Constitution
Author: Cheng Wei
Editor: Zhou Zhigang Executive Editor: Zhong Ran Proofreader: Lin Xiaolong Translator: Lyu Feng
Abstract:The Citizen Constitution centers on the principle of “government by the people” (minzhi), constructing an integrated political framework based on five interrelated pillars — governance by the people, democracy, civil rights, people’s livelihood, and national identity. It advocates citizen self-governance and participatory state management, establishing foundational principles concerning the constitution, the state, the military, and citizens’ rights and duties. Through this design, it provides both a theoretical blueprint and a practical direction for China’s democratization.
Introduction: A Great Constitution Is the Soul of the Rule of Law
Throughout the tides of history, the meaning of a constitution lies not merely in regulating power, but in outlining the spirit and the future of a nation. The Citizen Constitution takes “government by the people,” democracy, civil rights, livelihood, and national identity as its central political doctrines, and on this basis constructs a comprehensive constitutional vision.
The first chapter — the General Principles — serves as the soul of the Constitution, defining the nature of the state, the constitution, and the military, while also specifying the rights and obligations of citizens. Through its special provisions, it introduces a distinctive system of checks and balances on power. Centered on minzhi, or rule by the citizens, The Citizen Constitution transcends the theoretical paradigms of modern democratic politics and sketches a vision for a future society of autonomous citizens.
This article offers an initial interpretation of the first chapter’s contents and will, in subsequent essays, analyze each provision in detail — unveiling the intellectual core of The Citizen Constitution and guiding readers toward the grand blueprint of China’s democratic future.
I. The Essence of the Citizen Constitution: “Government by the People”
as Its SoulThe Citizen Constitution represents a new political philosophy centered on the principle of minzhi—“government by the people.” From this core concept, the ideas of democracy, civil rights, livelihood, and national identity are progressively derived. “Government by the people” is the “1,” while democracy, civil rights, livelihood, and national culture are the “0” that follow it. Without the “1,” no matter how many “0s” there are, they amount to nothing.
Minzhi is composed of two foundational theories. The first is citizen self-governance—self-management—which emphasizes the individual’s autonomy and the balance of rights and duties within social life. A person living in society bears the duty of self-discipline: with every right comes a corresponding obligation, and with every obligation, a corresponding right. The second is citizen governance of the state—the right of citizens to directly participate in national affairs. The state is a nation formed by its citizens; it is governed by the citizens, not a regime where rulers govern the people.
This core philosophy breaks from traditional political theories that centralize power in elites or monarchs, advocating instead that citizens are not merely the source of political authority, but its actual executors. It is the citizens who govern the nation.
From minzhi flows democracy, the institutional mechanism through which citizens express their will. Democracy then guarantees personal freedom, dignity, and other civil rights—minquan. With civil rights established, citizens can exercise them to build a fair and prosperous society—minsheng, the concern for people’s livelihood. When livelihood is secured, citizens have the foundation to rejuvenate their cultural identity—minzu, the essence of national culture that preserves independence and heritage.
Thus, rooted in minzhi, The Citizen Constitution interconnects democracy, civil rights, livelihood, and national culture into a coherent and self-reinforcing political framework. It offers the theoretical foundation for China’s future democratization.
II. Core Content of The Citizen Constitution: Chapter One – General Principles
As the opening chapter, the General Principles establish the tone and framework of the entire Constitution. It encompasses several key elements:
Definition of the State: Chapter One defines the nation as a “state governed by the people”, where sovereignty resides entirely with all citizens. The state is not merely a political institution but the embodiment of the collective will of its people, aiming to achieve fairness, justice, and prosperity under popular governance.
Definition of the Constitution: The Constitution is defined as the supreme law of the land, standing above all powers. It ensures that the principles of minzhi (governance by the people), democracy, civil rights, livelihood, and national culture are upheld throughout governance, securing the foundation of the rule of law and the legitimacy of public authority.
Definition of the Military: The military is defined as “the people’s army, the nation’s army.” Its core duty is to defend national sovereignty and citizens’ rights, not to serve any individual or faction, thereby preventing any possibility of military interference in politics.
Rights and Duties of Citizens: Citizens enjoy broad freedoms—including freedom of speech, association, and belief—while bearing the responsibility to participate in public affairs and maintain social order. The spirit of minzhi runs throughout, encouraging citizens to shape the nation’s future through elections, supervision, and direct participation.
Special Provisions of the Constitution: Chapter One introduces innovative special clauses to ensure flexibility and adaptability. These provisions allow the constitutional system to adjust in times of crisis or major social transformation, preserving its vitality and resilience.
III. The Citizen Constitution’s Inspiration for Chinese DemocracyCentered on minzhi,
Chapter One outlines a uniquely Chinese path to democracy. It directly addresses why Western democratic models often fail to take root in China, avoiding both the extremes of authoritarian centralization and populist chaos.
By combining citizen self-governance with participation in state affairs, The Citizen Constitution grants citizens unprecedented agency, moving beyond the passive political roles of traditional systems. Its clear definition of the military’s apolitical nature and its balanced design of citizens’ rights and duties safeguard institutional stability and sustainability. The inclusion of special clauses injects adaptive capacity, enabling the Constitution to respond to new challenges such as technological revolutions and globalization.
In today’s world—where Western democracies suffer from division and inefficiency, and authoritarian regimes fail to satisfy the people’s yearning for freedom—The Citizen Constitution offers a “third path.” It inherits China’s traditional political wisdom, integrates universal democratic values, and aligns them with China’s contemporary realities and the global evolution of political systems. It is more than a legal document—it is an intellectual experiment for the future of Chinese democracy, a social contract jointly signed by all Chinese citizens, urging reflection and unity: How can we maintain national stability and cultural confidence while granting citizens genuine governing power?
Conclusion: Sailing Toward the Democratic HorizonChapter One of The Citizen Constitution
—the General Principles—takes minzhi as its soul, painting an inspiring vision of democracy. It reminds us that China’s democratic future is not a mere imitation of the West, but an innovative practice grounded in its own civilization. By upholding the principles of minzhi, democracy, civil rights, livelihood, and national identity, China can move toward a freer, fairer, more just, rational, and prosperous future.
Click here to read the full text of The Citizen Constitution.
— Written by Cheng Wei and He Qingfeng, men of upright virtue and integrity.
