When combined, 威权 (wēiquán) literally means “mighty power” or “imposing authority.” Adding the suffix 主义 (zhǔyì) turns it into an ideology or system: “the doctrine of authority,” or authoritarianism.
威权主义 (wēiquán zhǔyì) is a critical term in discussions of modern Chinese and East Asian politics. Its significance is rooted in a historical and philosophical context that often differs from Western liberal traditions. In many Western cultures, “authoritarianism” is almost universally a pejorative term, starkly contrasted with the ideal of liberal democracy. In the Chinese context, the conversation is more complex. While critics use the term negatively to describe limitations on freedom, some proponents and observers argue for a form of “benevolent authoritarianism.” They connect it to traditional Confucian values that emphasize social harmony, collective good, and respect for a hierarchical order. The argument is often made that a strong, centralized government is necessary to maintain stability (维稳 wéiwěn) and guide rapid economic development for a massive population, prioritizing the well-being of the group over individual political rights. This creates a key point of comparison: while Western political thought often frames the primary struggle as individual liberty vs. state power, a common perspective within China frames it as stability and collective prosperity vs. chaos and disorder. Understanding this framing is crucial to grasping the nuances of how 威权主义 is discussed both inside and outside of China.
威权主义 is a formal and academic term. You will not hear it used in casual, everyday conversation like “hello” or “thank you.”