qiángquán zhèngzhì: 强权政治 - Power Politics

• Keywords: qiangquan zhengzhi, 强权政治, power politics in Chinese, might makes right, hegemony, Chinese international relations, unilateralism, foreign policy, Chinese political terms
• Summary: Learn the crucial Chinese political term 强权政治 (qiángquán zhèngzhì), which translates to “power politics.” This entry breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and modern usage, explaining how it describes a world where “might makes right” and powerful nations disregard international law. It's essential for understanding China's perspective on global affairs and its criticism of hegemonic behavior.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiángquán zhèngzhì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced/HSK 6+)
• Concise Definition: The political philosophy and practice where international relations are based on military and economic strength rather than international law, diplomacy, or moral principles.
• In a Nutshell: Think of “might makes right” on a global scale. 强权政治 (qiángquán zhèngzhì) describes a situation where powerful countries do whatever they want in the world simply because they are strong enough to, and smaller countries have little choice but to accept it. It carries a strong negative connotation and is often used to criticize the actions of superpowers.

• 强 (qiáng): Strong, powerful, mighty.
• 权 (quán): Power, authority, the right to command.
• 政 (zhèng): Politics, political affairs, government.
• 治 (zhì): To rule, to govern, to manage.

The characters combine logically: 强权 (qiángquán) means “strong power” or coercive power, while 政治 (zhèngzhì) is the standard word for “politics.” Together, 强权政治 (qiángquán zhèngzhì) literally translates to “strong-power politics,” a system of governance between nations based on brute force and influence.

强权政治 (qiángquán zhèngzhì) is a cornerstone term for understanding China's worldview and its official foreign policy narrative. It is deeply rooted in China's historical experience, particularly the “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻, bǎinián guóchǐ) from the mid-19th to mid-20th century, when a weakened China was subjected to the power politics of Western colonial powers and Japan. In modern discourse, the term is almost exclusively used by Chinese officials, media, and academics to criticize what they perceive as the hegemonic and unilateral actions of other powerful nations, most notably the United States. It frames international relations as a cynical struggle for dominance, not a cooperative system governed by shared rules. A useful Western contrast is the concept of a “rules-based international order.” While Western countries champion this ideal (a world governed by international law and institutions like the UN), 强权政治 represents the realist or cynical counter-narrative: that these “rules” are often selectively enforced or ignored by the very powers that created them. China often positions itself as a defender of a multi-polar world and a staunch opponent of 强权政治, advocating for the sovereign equality of all nations, regardless of their size or strength.

This term is formal and primarily found in specific, serious contexts.

• Official Government Statements: The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs frequently uses this term to condemn sanctions, tariffs, or military actions taken by other countries without UN approval.
• News Media and Editorials: State-controlled media like Xinhua or People's Daily use it in articles analyzing international conflicts or criticizing foreign policy they disagree with.
• Academic Discourse: It is a standard term in university courses and academic papers on international relations and political science.

It is almost always used with a strong negative connotation. You would not use it to describe a policy you support. It is a term of criticism and condemnation, implying bullying, injustice, and a violation of sovereign rights.

• Example 1:
  • 我们坚决反对任何形式的强权政治和霸凌行径。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiānjué fǎnduì rènhé xíngshì de qiángquán zhèngzhì hé bàlíng xíngjìng.
  • English: We resolutely oppose all forms of power politics and bullying behavior.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and formal sentence structure used in official statements. It clearly frames 强权政治 as a negative concept equivalent to bullying on an international stage.
• Example 2:
  • 历史证明，强权政治最终只会导致冲突和战争。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ zhèngmíng, qiángquán zhèngzhì zuìzhōng zhǐ huì dǎozhì chōngtū hé zhànzhēng.
  • English: History proves that power politics will ultimately only lead to conflict and war.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the term in a more historical and analytical context, presenting it as a failed and dangerous approach to international relations.
• Example 3:
  • 那个国家的外交政策被批评为典型的强权政治。
  • Pinyin: Nàge guójiā de wàijiāo zhèngcè bèi pīpíng wéi diǎnxíng de qiángquán zhèngzhì.
  • English: That country's foreign policy was criticized as typical power politics.
  • Analysis: This example shows how the term is used to label or categorize the actions of another country. The structure “被批评为 (bèi pīpíng wéi)” means “was criticized as.”
• Example 4:
  • 小国在强权政治面前往往没有太多选择。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo guó zài qiángquán zhèngzhì miànqián wǎngwǎng méiyǒu tài duō xuǎnzé.
  • English: Small countries often don't have many choices in the face of power politics.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the victim's perspective in a world dominated by 强权政治, emphasizing the lack of agency for weaker nations.
• Example 5:
  • 他认为，当今世界仍然没有摆脱强权政治的阴影。
  • Pinyin: Tā rènwéi, dāngjīn shìjiè réngrán méiyǒu bǎituō qiángquán zhèngzhì de yīnyǐng.
  • English: He believes that the world today still has not escaped the shadow of power politics.
  • Analysis: The phrase “…的阴影 (de yīnyǐng)” means “the shadow of…” and is often used to describe a lingering negative influence, which is a fitting metaphor for 强权政治.
• Example 6:
  • 单边制裁是强权政治的一种表现形式。
  • Pinyin: Dānbiān zhìcái shì qiángquán zhèngzhì de yīzhǒng biǎoxiàn xíngshì.
  • English: Unilateral sanctions are a manifestation of power politics.
  • Analysis: This provides a concrete example of an action that would be labeled as 强权政治. It connects an abstract concept to a specific policy tool.
• Example 7:
  • 国际社会必须共同抵制强权政治，维护公平正义。
  • Pinyin: Guójì shèhuì bìxū gòngtóng dǐzhì qiángquán zhèngzhì, wéihù gōngpíng zhèngyì.
  • English: The international community must jointly resist power politics and uphold fairness and justice.
  • Analysis: This is a call to action, often seen in diplomatic speeches. It positions 强权政治 as the direct opposite of “fairness and justice” (公平正义).
• Example 8:
  • 他们的联盟不是为了搞强权政治，而是为了促进地区和平。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de liánméng bùshì wèile gǎo qiángquán zhèngzhì, érshì wèile cùjìn dìqū hépíng.
  • English: Their alliance is not for engaging in power politics, but for promoting regional peace.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the structure “不是…而是… (bùshì… érshì…)” meaning “is not… but rather…” to create a clear contrast and deny accusations of hegemonic intent.
• Example 9:
  • 在这个教授的国际关系课上，我们讨论了强权政治的起源。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège jiàoshòu de guójì guānxì kè shàng, wǒmen tǎolùnle qiángquán zhèngzhì de qǐyuán.
  • English: In this professor's international relations class, we discussed the origins of power politics.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a neutral, academic use of the term. While the concept itself is negative, here it is the subject of study rather than an accusation.
• Example 10:
  • 靠武力解决问题的想法是危险的强权政治逻辑。
  • Pinyin: Kào wǔlì jiějué wèntí de xiǎngfǎ shì wéixiǎn de qiángquán zhèngzhì luójí.
  • English: The idea of relying on military force to solve problems is a dangerous logic of power politics.
  • Analysis: This example focuses on the mindset or “logic” (逻辑, luójí) behind power politics, criticizing the underlying philosophy, not just a single action.

• Don't Confuse with Domestic Politics: A very common mistake for learners is to use 强权政治 to describe a country's internal, authoritarian government. This is incorrect. 强权政治 is almost exclusively used to describe interactions *between* countries in the international arena. For domestic authoritarianism, you would use terms like 专制 (zhuānzhì) (autocracy) or 独裁 (dúcái) (dictatorship).
• Recognize its Political Loading: While the term describes a real concept in political science (Realpolitik), in modern Chinese usage it is also a highly political and propagandistic tool. When you hear it from an official source, it is not a neutral observation; it is a specific condemnation of a geopolitical rival's actions. Understanding this framing is crucial.
• Not Just “Strong Politics”: Do not misinterpret the characters as “strong” or “effective” politics. The component 强权 (qiángquán) specifically implies power that is coercive and disregards rules or the rights of others. It is inherently negative.

• 霸权主义 (bàquán zhǔyì) - Hegemonism. A very close synonym and often used interchangeably with 强权政治. It focuses more on the dominance of a single power (a hegemon).
• 单边主义 (dānbiān zhǔyì) - Unilateralism. A specific practice of power politics where a country acts alone without consulting allies or international bodies.
• 丛林法则 (cónglín fǎzé) - The Law of the Jungle. A vivid metaphor for the core principle of 强权政治: survival of the fittest, where strength is the only law.
• 干涉内政 (gānshè nèizhèng) - To interfere in internal affairs. This is a cardinal sin in Chinese foreign policy and is seen as a key tool of 强权政治.
• 主权 (zhǔquán) - Sovereignty. The concept that 强权政治 is seen to violate. China strongly emphasizes the inviolability of national sovereignty.
• 实力 (shílì) - (Actual) strength/power. This is the foundation upon which 强权政治 is built. A nation's military and economic 实力 determines its ability to practice it.
• 多极化 (duōjíhuà) - Multipolarity. The idea of a world with multiple centers of power, presented as the desired alternative to a unipolar world dominated by a single country's 强权政治.
• 冷战思维 (lěngzhàn sīwéi) - Cold War mentality. Often cited alongside 强权政治 as an outdated and dangerous mindset that divides the world into opposing blocs.