简论“新县制”下湖北的基层民意机关

国民政府20世纪40年代实行的新县制标榜地方自治、还治于民，并且成立从县到乡镇保甲以及各户的各级民意机关，和行政上相配合，力图加强对基层的控制并获得民众的支持。湖北省也依照政府规定颁布了一系列的法规并成立了各级民意机关，但是各级民意机关在实际运行中存在很多问题，无论是议员选举还是议案以及民众意见的反映都未能达到其最初的目的，反而成为部分土豪劣绅为自身谋利益的合法机关。国民政府设置基层民意机关辅助地方自治的目的几乎没有实现，根本原因是国民政府的专制统治。

Grassroot public opinion organs under "New County System" in Hubei Province

The ＂New County System＂ introduced by the National Government in the 1940s claimed to hand power back to the people for local autonomy, while, at the same time, it set up several levels of public opinion organs from county to town and village which, acting in accordance with administration, attempted to enhance the control at the grassroot level and obtain more support from the people. A series of laws and regulations were thus enacted and all levels of public opinion organs were established in Hubei Province. However, many problems arose with the operation of these organs. Whether in election or in motions or in the reaction of common people, they have not achieved their initial goal; instead, they became the legitimate organs by which the evil and powerful elements in the society pursued their own interest. It is suggested that the despotic rule of the national government was the cause of the failure of these organs in realizing their goal.