摘要： 从习惯法的大制度史和大思想史的发展来看，西方能走上现代法治之路，归功于西方习惯法命运中心论的制度安排和思想：早期是“习惯法权威”时代；中世纪则是“习惯法的世纪”；近代虽是制定法的世纪，但习惯法的地位和作用也不可忽视；现代则又成为习惯法地位不断上升的世纪。现代西方出现的法治危机，也应归结于近代西方习惯法命运中心论受到的冲击。中国要想走上法治之路，习惯法在中国是否也要从边缘走向中心？这就是西方习惯法命运带给我们的思考和启示。

关键词: 大历史, 习惯法, 法治

Abstract: From the macro-history perspective of the development of customary law in legal systems and the develop-ment of customary law thoughts, customary law is the social foundation of western law, for its successful experi-ence leads the western country to the rule of law. The customary law is one of the core issues of western legalstudies: the ancient human society is the era of “customary law being the authority”；the Middle Ages is “the century of customary law”；although the modem century is the time of the formal law, the status and role of cus-tomary law can not be overlooked; modem society also witnesses the uprise of customary law. As for China,should Chinese customary law move from the edge to the center of the rule of law in China? This is the referenceand enlightenment which western customary laws bring to us.

Key words: Macro-history, The Customary Law, Rule of law