平等观下特殊债权的优先受偿

Priority Repayment of Special Claims from the Perspective of Equality

摘要: 在现代法律体系中，特殊债权的优先清偿机制作为一种调和正义与平等原则的制度设计而普遍存在，但这并非是对平等原则的突破。从理论基础上看，平等并不意味着机会的绝对均等或利益分配的终极平衡，而是容许差异，并致力于通过合理的利益分配达成实质平等。从实践角度上而言，由于个体差异的存在，绝对平等也并不存在，平等原则更多体现在主体地位与行权资格的层面，而非微观层面的权利义务平等。因此，我国民法中关于特殊债权优先受偿的规定，并未突破平等原则，反而通过强化对特定主体权益的利益保障，践行了实质平等的法律精神。

Abstract: In modern legal systems, the priority repayment mechanism for special claims widely exists as an institutional design reconciling justice and the principle of equality, yet it does not constitute a departure from the principle of equality. Theoretically, equality does not signify absolute equality of opportunities or ultimate balance of benefit distribution. Instead, it allows reasonable differentiation and strives to achieve substantive equality through the proper allocation of interests. Practically, absolute equality is unattainable given individual differences. The principle of equality is mainly reflected in the legal status and exercise qualifications of subjects, rather than the equivalence of rights and obligations at the micro level. Accordingly, the provisions on priority repayment of special claims in China’s civil law do not break through the principle of equality. On the contrary, they uphold the legal spirit of substantive equality by strengthening the protection of the rights and interests of specific subjects.