刑法的正当性问题就是刑法的准生证。展望21世纪,中国刑法的发展应在准确定位的基础上,朝着“趋轻”与“合理”的文明方向发展。刑法的终极价值就是保障人的权利。刑法的功能不能唯一化,刑法的人权保障和社会保护功能之间的抉择如同钟摆,只有在左右摇摆的动态平衡中才会有发展和进步,而停摆的静态平衡就意味着死亡和停止。 The legitimacy of the criminal law is the birth of the criminal law. Looking forward to the 21st century, the development of Chinese criminal law should be based on the accurate orientation toward the direction of “civilized” with “lightness” and “reasonableness.” The ultimate value of criminal law is to protect people’s rights. The function of the criminal law can not be the only one. The choice between the protection of human rights and the social protection function of the criminal law is like a pendulum. Only through the dynamic balance swinging forward and backward will there be development and progress. The static balance of shutting down means death and cessation.