====== bàquán: 霸权 - Hegemony, Dominance, Supremacy ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** bàquán, 霸权, Chinese hegemony, what does baquan mean, cultural hegemony, political dominance in Chinese, American hegemony, 霸权主义, 霸权国家, international relations China
  * **Summary:** The Chinese term **霸权 (bàquán)** translates to "hegemony" or "dominance" and is a critical concept in understanding Chinese political discourse. It almost always carries a negative connotation, referring to the coercive and self-serving power a strong nation imposes on others. Deeply rooted in China's history of warring states, **bàquán** is frequently used today to critique the foreign policy of superpowers, particularly the United States. This page explores the cultural background, practical usage, and nuances of **bàquán** to help you understand this powerful and politically charged word.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bàquán
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** The dominance, especially political and military, of one state or group over others.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **霸权 (bàquán)** not as "leadership," but as "bossiness" on a global scale. It describes a situation where a powerful country or entity doesn't lead by example or consensus, but by using its strength—be it military, economic, or cultural—to force its will upon others. It implies a power dynamic that is unfair, unwelcome, and driven by self-interest.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **霸 (bà):** This character originally referred to a powerful feudal lord during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China—a "hegemon" or "overlord." It signifies dominance achieved through might and coercion.
  * **权 (quán):** This character means "power," "authority," or "right." It's a fundamental character in words related to control and influence, like 权力 (quánlì - power).
  * Together, **霸权 (bàquán)** literally means the "power of an overlord" or "tyrannical power." This combination immediately gives the word its strong negative connotation of oppressive and illegitimate authority.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **Historical Roots:** The concept of 霸 (bà) is deeply embedded in Chinese history, particularly the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋时期, c. 771-476 BC). During this era, the central Zhou Dynasty's authority weakened, and powerful feudal lords (霸主, bàzhǔ) vied for control through military force and political maneuvering. This period of constant warfare and instability left a lasting cultural impression: the pursuit of hegemony is seen as a source of chaos, conflict, and suffering.
  * **Contrast with Western "Leadership":** In American or Western culture, being a "global leader" can be framed as a positive, even benevolent, responsibility (e.g., "leader of the free world"). In contrast, the Chinese concept of **霸权 (bàquán)** is almost exclusively negative. The Chinese government frequently makes the pledge "永不称霸" (yǒng bù chēng bà), meaning "to never seek hegemony." This reflects a stated foreign policy goal rooted in the principle of non-interference and a historical aversion to the chaos caused by dominant, expansionist powers. This highlights a different cultural value placed on global harmony and state sovereignty versus proactive intervention.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **International Politics:** This is the most common context for **霸权**. It is a cornerstone of Chinese political rhetoric, used in official government statements, news media (like //Xinhua// and //People's Daily//), and academic articles to critique the foreign policy of the United States. Terms like "American hegemony" (美国霸权) and "hegemonism" (霸权主义) are frequently used.
  * **Business and Technology:** The term can be extended to the corporate world to describe a company with a near-monopolistic hold on an industry. For example, one might talk about "tech hegemony" (科技霸权) to describe a company that uses its dominant market position to stifle competition and control innovation.
  * **Informal or Metaphorical Use:** In a less serious, often humorous way, **霸权** can describe a person who is extremely bossy or domineering in a specific, low-stakes situation. For instance, someone who always controls the TV remote might be jokingly said to have "remote control hegemony" (遥控器霸权). This usage is informal and relies on the shared understanding of the term's negative, overbearing nature.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 中国坚决反对任何形式的**霸权**主义。
    * Pinyin: Zhōngguó jiānjué fǎnduì rènhé xíngshì de **bàquán** zhǔyì.
    * English: China resolutely opposes hegemonism in any form.
    * Analysis: This is a classic example from official Chinese political discourse. The tone is very formal and serious, clearly stating a core principle of its foreign policy.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 这家科技巨头被指责在全球市场搞数字**霸权**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā kējì jùtóu bèi zhǐzé zài quánqiú shìchǎng gǎo shùzì **bàquán**.
    * English: This tech giant is accused of exercising digital hegemony in the global market.
    * Analysis: Here, **霸权** is applied to the modern context of technology and business, implying the company uses its power unfairly to dominate the market.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 历史告诉我们，追求**霸权**最终必然会失败。
    * Pinyin: Lìshǐ gàosù wǒmen, zhuīqiú **bàquán** zuìzhōng bìrán huì shībài.
    * English: History tells us that the pursuit of hegemony will inevitably end in failure.
    * Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural and historical lesson derived from China's past. It frames **霸权** as a morally and practically flawed path.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 他们批评该国利用其美元**霸权**对其他国家实施制裁。
    * Pinyin: Tāmen pīpíng gāi guó lìyòng qí Měiyuán **bàquán** duì qítā guójiā shíshī zhìcái.
    * English: They criticized that country for using its US dollar hegemony to impose sanctions on other nations.
    * Analysis: This is a specific and common critique, linking economic power (the role of the US dollar) to the concept of **霸权**.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 春秋时期，各诸侯国为了争夺**霸权**而常年征战。
    * Pinyin: Chūnqiū shíqī, gè zhūhóu guó wèile zhēngduó **bàquán** ér chángnián zhēngzhàn.
    * English: During the Spring and Autumn period, the various vassal states fought for years to contend for hegemony.
    * Analysis: This sentence places **霸权** in its original historical context, linking it to warfare and conflict.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 我们需要一个多极化的世界，而不是一个单极**霸权**的时代。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yīgè duōjíhuà de shìjiè, ér bùshì yīgè dānjí **bàquán** de shídài.
    * English: We need a multipolar world, not an era of unipolar hegemony.
    * Analysis: This sentence contrasts **霸权** with the alternative concept of a "multipolar world," a common theme in international relations discussions.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 小国常常是**霸权**政治的受害者。
    * Pinyin: Xiǎo guó chángcháng shì **bàquán** zhèngzhì de shòuhàizhě.
    * English: Small countries are often the victims of hegemonic politics.
    * Analysis: This highlights the negative impact of **霸权** on less powerful nations, emphasizing the inherent injustice of the dynamic.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 文化**霸权**指的是强势文化对弱势文化的侵蚀。
    * Pinyin: Wénhuà **bàquán** zhǐ de shì qiángshì wénhuà duì ruòshì wénhuà de qīnshí.
    * English: Cultural hegemony refers to the erosion of weaker cultures by a dominant one.
    * Analysis: This shows the application of the term to a non-military, "soft power" context, following the theories of Antonio Gramsci but with a distinctly Chinese interpretation.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 他在团队里太**霸道**了，总想建立个人**霸权**。
    * Pinyin: Tā zài tuánduì lǐ tài **bàdào** le, zǒng xiǎng jiànlì gèrén **bàquán**.
    * English: He is too domineering in the team, always trying to establish his personal hegemony.
    * Analysis: This is a more informal, interpersonal usage. It links the adjective 霸道 (bàdào - domineering) to the noun **霸权**, showing how the core concept of tyrannical control can be applied to a person's behavior.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 在我们家，奶奶对电视遥控器拥有绝对的**霸权**。
    * Pinyin: Zài wǒmen jiā, nǎinai duì diànshì yáokòngqì yōngyǒu juéduì de **bàquán**.
    * English: In our house, Grandma has absolute hegemony over the TV remote.
    * Analysis: This is a humorous, hyperbolic example. It uses the serious political term **霸权** to exaggerate a common family dynamic, demonstrating the word's versatility for native speakers.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Hegemony vs. Leadership:** This is the most critical distinction for a learner. Do not use **霸权 (bàquán)** to mean a neutral or positive "leadership position." That would be [[领导地位]] (lǐngdǎo dìwèi). Saying a respected company has **霸权** is an insult; it means they are a bully.
    *   **Incorrect:** 苹果公司在智能手机市场拥有**霸权**。(Implies Apple is a tyrant).
    *   **Correct:** 苹果公司在智能手机市场处于[[领导地位]]。(States Apple is in a leadership position).
  * **Negative Connotation is (Almost) Always Present:** While the English academic term "hegemony" can sometimes be used in a neutral, analytical way, its Chinese translation **霸权 (bàquán)** is almost always used with a critical or accusatory tone in everyday and political language. Assuming it's a neutral descriptor is a common mistake.
  * **Not Just About Military:** While its roots are in military conflict, **霸权** in modern usage widely applies to economic, technological, and cultural dominance as well (e.g., 美元霸权 - US dollar hegemony, 文化霸权 - cultural hegemony).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[霸权主义]] (bàquán zhǔyì) - Hegemonism. The ideology, policy, or system of seeking and maintaining hegemony.
  * [[称霸]] (chēng bà) - (Verb) To seek hegemony, to dominate. Often used in the negative pledge "永不称霸" (yǒng bù chēng bà).
  * [[霸道]] (bàdào) - (Adjective) Domineering, tyrannical. Describes the personality of a person who acts like a hegemon.
  * [[霸主]] (bàzhǔ) - Hegemon, overlord. The person or state that holds the hegemony.
  * [[强权政治]] (qiángquán zhèngzhì) - Power politics. The principle of "might makes right," which is the foundation of hegemony.
  * [[单边主义]] (dānbiān zhǔyì) - Unilateralism. A policy of acting alone, often seen as a characteristic behavior of a hegemonic power.
  * [[干涉]] (gānshè) - To interfere. A key action of a hegemonic power is interfering in the internal affairs of other, weaker nations.
  * [[领导地位]] (lǐngdǎo dìwèi) - Leadership position. A neutral or positive alternative to **霸权**, implying leadership earned through respect and competence, not force.
  * [[和平共处五项原则]] (Hépíng Gòngchǔ Wǔ Xiàng Yuánzé) - The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. A set of principles in Chinese foreign policy that stand in direct philosophical opposition to hegemonism.