當代憲政主義本於其自由主義思想主軸及成文憲法形式,支持了結合自由、民主與法治理念的政治體制之發展,然而,具體憲政運作上,隨著對於憲法定位與認知之不同,自由、民主與法治三者問的互動關聯亦有所不同,其間並非全無扞格之處。依據史密特的憲法觀,自由、民主與(憲法)法治甚至是三種本質上互相衝突的主張。本文的目的即在於探究史密特對於憲法概念之理解與界定,藉此審視史密特如何基於此等憲法理論而對於民主、代議體制、市民法治國思想、自由主義、多元主義等當代憲政主義思想之核心內涵進行批判,試圖從中獲致反思當代憲政主義所面臨難題之成因與解決可能途徑的另類線索。
Contemporary constitutionalism, based on its liberal thoughts and the form of a written constitution, supports the development of the political system, which combines the ideas of liberty, democracy and rule of law. However, the concrete connection among the ideas of liberty, democracy and rule of law varies with the conception of constitution in constitutional practice. According to Carl Schmitt's constitutional theory, the three factors are antagonistic rather than harmonious. This article aims to set out basic outline of Schmitt's conception of constitution, and examine his critique on democracy, parliamentarism, ”Rechtsstaat”, liberalism and pluralism in order to figure out optional clues by reflecting the causes and possible solutions to the problems of contemporary constitutionalism.