汉代三老:“非吏而得与吏比”的地方社会领袖

奠基于汉高祖的汉代乡县三老制度,确立了三老“非吏而得与吏比”的双重身份和国家认定的地方社会领袖地位。这一特殊的身份、地位,使三老在地方社会与国家政权之间,具有独特的媒介、缓冲和沟通功能,并享有很高的声望。三老制是汉代地方统治体制设计中的高明所在。两汉长治久安,号称盛世,与这类政治设计不无关联。

On the "San lao" of the Han dynasty: leaders in local society

In Han dynasty’s local political system which was built in the reign of emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang), “San lao” (the veterans) were the leaders in local society registered by the government, who were not state clerks but could be treated as such. This special status did credit to “San lao” and made them act as middlemen in the intercourse between local society and the state. This and similar skillful designs in the political system did much in creating and maintaining a long and peaceful reign of the Han dynasty.