Listen to this articlebàdào 霸道
Despotic Governance
霸者之道，指凭借武力与强权手段进行统治（与“王道”相对）。春秋时代，周王室式微，有的诸侯凭借自己的强大实力，操纵周天子和其他诸侯，维持秩序，成为诸侯领袖（初写作“伯”，后来写作“霸”）。他们的统治原理或政策，被称为“霸道”。它不重仁义道德，而重功利强权；不是以德服人，而是以力服人；不重文的感化，而重武的压迫；不使人怀德而使人畏威，甚至只顾本国利益，不顾他国苦难。中华民族崇文而不尚武，自古提倡“王道”，贬斥“霸道”。此为今日中国反对霸权主义、反对强权政治的历史文化渊源。
This term refers to the rule of a state by means of force and power as opposed to “benevolent governance.” The ruling court of the Zhou Dynasty began to decline in the Spring and Autumn Period while some of its vassal states grew stronger. Some state rulers, who were dukes or princes, began to maintain the social order by manipulating the throne and other state rulers. Some emerged as the more powerful among other states. Their governing principles and policies were regarded as despotic governance. In their governance, they valued benefits and power instead of benevolence and moral principles. They ruled by brutal force instead of by the force of morality; they governed by coercion instead of moral suasion. They ignored ethics and made people live in fear. All they cared for was the benefits to their own states. Such practices went against the philosophy of the Chinese nation that has all along upheld peace and harmony, not force. Since ancient times, China has valued benevolent governance, and rejected despotic rule. This is the historical and cultural foundation of the Chinese notion of opposing hegemony and power politics.
引例 Citations：
◎通德者王，谋得兵胜者霸。（《管子·兵法》）
（懂得实行德政的可成就王道，懂得谋划而取得战争胜利的可成就霸道。）
A monarch who values the rule of morality and justice will be able to achieve benevolent governance; a monarch who adepts at intrigues and seizes power by war will practice despotic governance. (Guanzi)
◎以力假仁者霸，霸必有大国；以德行仁者王，王不待大……以力服人者，非心服也，力不赡也；以德服人者，中心悦而诚服也，如七十子之服孔子也。（《孟子·公孙丑上》）
（凭借武力而假托仁义的人可以称霸，称霸一定以大国作基础；依靠道德施行仁义的人可以称王，称王却不一定非大国不可……用武力使人服从，不是真心服从，只是力量不足以反抗而已；用道德使人服从，才是由衷喜悦而真心服从，就像七十二个弟子敬服孔子那样。）
One who seizes throne by force in the name of benevolence and justice needs a big state as his power base. One who ascends the throne by upholding morality and benevolence may not necessarily have a big state as his base… To make people subservient by force cannot make them observe the rule willingly. They are just too weak to resist. To make people subservient by morality can make them accept the rule willingly. The way the 72 disciples of Confucius held their master in high esteem is a good example. (Mencius)
◎故用国者，义立而王，信立而霸，权谋立而亡。（《荀子·王霸》）
（所以掌握国家政权的人，确立道义就可称王天下，确立诚信就可称霸诸侯，玩弄阴谋诡计就会灭亡。）
A man who runs a state by upholding morality and justice may become a revered ruler of his whole country. With sincerity and honesty he will enjoy authority among vassal states whereas intrigues and conspiracies can only lead to his doom. (Xunzi)
