专制

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.