Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== zhuānzhì: 专制 - Autocracy, Despotism, Dictatorship ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** zhuanzhi, 专制, Chinese autocracy, Chinese despotism, Chinese dictatorship, totalitarianism in China, authoritarianism, Chinese politics, Chinese government, meaning of zhuanzhi, autocratic, despotic. * **Summary:** Learn the meaning of **专制 (zhuānzhì)**, a key term in Chinese political and social discourse referring to autocracy, despotism, or a system of absolute, centralized power. This page explores its historical roots in imperial China, its modern usage to describe both governments and overbearing individuals, and how it contrasts with the concept of democracy (民主, mínzhǔ). ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhuānzhì * **Part of Speech:** Noun, Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 * **Concise Definition:** A system of government where one person or group has absolute, unchecked power; autocratic, despotic. * **In a Nutshell:** **专制 (zhuānzhì)** describes a top-down power structure where a single ruler or a small elite group makes all the decisions without the consent of the people. The word carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of individual freedom, human rights, and political accountability. It is the direct opposite of **民主 (mínzhǔ)**, or democracy. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **专 (zhuān):** This character means "exclusive," "concentrated," or "specialized." Think of it as power being focused or concentrated in one place. * **制 (zhì):** This character means "to control," "to regulate," or "a system." * When combined, **专制 (zhuānzhì)** literally translates to "exclusive control" or a "system of concentrated power," which perfectly captures the idea of an autocratic or despotic system. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **专制 (zhuānzhì)** is a concept deeply embedded in Chinese history. For over two millennia, imperial China was governed by a system often described as **封建专制 (fēngjiàn zhuānzhì)**, or "feudal despotism." The emperor (皇帝, huángdì) held supreme, unquestionable authority, believed to be granted by the "Mandate of Heaven" (天命, tiānmìng). This long history has created a deep cultural understanding of—and vocabulary for—centralized power. * In contrast to the Western political ideal of "separation of powers" designed to create checks and balances, the traditional Chinese model valued a highly centralized state as the primary force for maintaining social order (稳定, wěndìng) and preventing chaos (乱, luàn). * While today **专制 (zhuānzhì)** is used critically, the underlying cultural debate between the merits of a strong, centralized authority versus individual liberty continues to be a central theme in modern Chinese society and politics. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Political and Historical Discussion:** **专制** is a formal and serious term used in academic, historical, and political writing to describe autocratic regimes. For example, historians discuss the **秦朝的专制统治 (Qíncháo de zhuānzhì tǒngzhì)** - "the autocratic rule of the Qin Dynasty." Due to its political sensitivity, it is used more often to criticize historical Chinese dynasties or foreign governments than the current system. * **Figurative and Interpersonal Use:** In everyday conversation, **专制** is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is domineering, tyrannical, and unreasonable in a non-political context. It's a powerful way to criticize a boss, parent, or partner who acts like a dictator. * **Example:** A teenager might complain about their **专制的父母 (zhuānzhì de fùmǔ)** - "autocratic parents" - who control every aspect of their life. * **Connotation:** The term is almost universally negative. Calling a system or a person **专制** is a strong criticism, implying they are oppressive, unfair, and disregard the will and well-being of others. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 很多历史学家认为，秦始皇建立了一个**专制**的中央集权国家。 * Pinyin: Hěn duō lìshǐ xuéjiā rènwéi, Qín Shǐhuáng jiànlì le yí ge **zhuānzhì** de zhōngyāng jíquán guójiā. * English: Many historians believe that Qin Shi Huang established an autocratic, centralized state. * Analysis: This is a typical academic/historical use of **专制** to describe a political system. Here it functions as an adjective. * **Example 2:** * 人民最终会起来反抗**专制**和压迫。 * Pinyin: Rénmín zuìzhōng huì qǐlái fǎnkàng **zhuānzhì** hé yāpò. * English: The people will eventually rise up to resist despotism and oppression. * Analysis: Here, **专制** is used as a noun, representing the abstract concept of autocratic rule. * **Example 3:** * 我受不了我老板了，他太**专制**了，什么事都得听他的。 * Pinyin: Wǒ shòu bu liǎo wǒ lǎobǎn le, tā tài **zhuānzhì** le, shénme shì dōu děi tīng tā de. * English: I can't stand my boss anymore, he's too despotic; everything has to be his way. * Analysis: This demonstrates the common, informal use of **专制** to describe a person's overbearing character. * **Example 4:** * **专制**政体常常忽视公民的基本权利。 * Pinyin: **Zhuānzhì** zhèngtǐ chángcháng hūshì gōngmín de jīběn quánlì. * English: Autocratic political systems often ignore the basic rights of citizens. * Analysis: A formal sentence where **专制** modifies "political system" (政体). * **Example 5:** * 在一个**专制**的家庭里，孩子们很少有表达自己意见的机会。 * Pinyin: Zài yí ge **zhuānzhì** de jiātíng lǐ, háizi men hěn shǎo yǒu biǎodá zìjǐ yìjiàn de jīhuì. * English: In an autocratic family, children rarely have the opportunity to express their own opinions. * Analysis: This highlights the concept of "family despotism" or "patriarchal autocracy" (家长专制, jiāzhǎng zhuānzhì). * **Example 6:** * 他写的这本书深刻地批判了封建**专制**思想。 * Pinyin: Tā xiě de zhè běn shū shēnkè de pīpàn le fēngjiàn **zhuānzhì** sīxiǎng. * English: The book he wrote profoundly criticizes feudal autocratic ideology. * Analysis: **专制** is used here as a noun within a compound term common in historical analysis. * **Example 7:** * 民主是**专制**的对立面。 * Pinyin: Mínzhǔ shì **zhuānzhì** de duìlìmiàn. * English: Democracy is the opposite of autocracy. * Analysis: A simple, direct sentence that clearly defines the term by its antonym. * **Example 8:** * 绝对的权力导致绝对的**专制**。 * Pinyin: Juéduì de quánlì dǎozhì juéduì de **zhuānzhì**. * English: Absolute power leads to absolute despotism. * Analysis: This sentence uses **专制** to convey a universal political principle. * **Example 9:** * 任何形式的**专制**都会阻碍社会的发展和创新。 * Pinyin: Rènhé xíngshì de **zhuānzhì** dōu huì zǔ'ài shèhuì de fāzhǎn hé chuàngxīn. * English: Any form of despotism will hinder social development and innovation. * Analysis: This sentence discusses the negative consequences of **专制** in broad terms. * **Example 10:** * 她用一种非常**专制**的方式管理她的团队，导致员工士气低落。 * Pinyin: Tā yòng yì zhǒng fēicháng **zhuānzhì** de fāngshì guǎnlǐ tā de tuánduì, dǎozhì yuángōng shìqì dīluò. * English: She manages her team in a very despotic manner, leading to low employee morale. * Analysis: This example shows **专制** used as an adjective to describe a //manner// or //style// (方式). ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`专制` vs. `独裁` (dúcái):** These terms are very close synonyms and often interchangeable. However, there's a slight nuance. **独裁 (dúcái - dictatorship)** literally means "to decide alone" (独 means "alone") and more strongly emphasizes rule by a //single individual//. **专制 (zhuānzhì - autocracy/despotism)** can refer to rule by one person or by a small, exclusive group or party. **专制** feels more systemic, while **独裁** feels more personal. * **`专制` vs. "Strict":** A common mistake for learners is to use **专制** to describe someone who is merely strict (严格, yángé). A strict teacher who has clear, fair rules is **严格**, not **专制**. A teacher becomes **专制** when their rules are arbitrary, they refuse to listen to any feedback, and they punish dissent unfairly. **专制** implies an abuse of power, not just high standards. * **Political Sensitivity:** Be aware that using **专制** to describe contemporary political situations can be highly sensitive. It is a very strong and critical term. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[民主]] (mínzhǔ) - Democracy; the direct antonym of **专制**. * [[独裁]] (dúcái) - Dictatorship; a very close synonym that emphasizes rule by a single person. * [[集权]] (jíquán) - Centralization of power; the process or state of power being concentrated, which is a key feature of a **专制** system. * [[威权主义]] (wēiquán zhǔyì) - Authoritarianism; a more modern political science term. **专制** is often considered a more absolute and severe form of authoritarianism. * [[暴政]] (bàozhèng) - Tyranny; this term focuses on the cruel and oppressive //actions// of a **专制** ruler or government. * [[封建]] (fēngjiàn) - Feudalism; often combined to form **封建专制**, the standard term for China's imperial political system. * [[自由]] (zìyóu) - Freedom, liberty; the core value that is suppressed under a **专制** system. * [[压迫]] (yāpò) - Oppression, to oppress; a common outcome and tool of **专制** rule. * [[家长制]] (jiāzhǎngzhì) - Patriarchy; often described as **家长专制** (patriarchal autocracy) when a family is run in a domineering way. * [[皇帝]] (huángdì) - Emperor; the historical figure who was the ultimate symbol of **专制** power in China.