Oppose Hegemonism and Power Politics, Actively Advance the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

In today’s world, the global political order centered on hegemony is collapsing, and a multi-centered world is beginning to emerge. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The world has become a global village where we are all in the same boat, and the economic and social development of all countries is increasingly interconnected and mutually influential. Promoting connectivity and accelerating integrated development has become an inevitable choice for achieving common prosperity and development.” Correspondingly, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been written into United Nations resolutions and has provided a signpost for the progress of human society.

当今世界，以霸权为中心的全球政治秩序趋于瓦解，多中心的世界正开始显现。正如习近平主席所指出的那样：“世界已经成为你中有我、我中有你的地球村，各国经济社会发展日益相互联系、相互影响，推进互联互通、加快融合发展成为促进共同繁荣发展的必然选择。”与之相应，构建人类命运共同体理念已经写入联合国决议，已为人类社会发展提供了前进的路标。

I. The underlying logic of the current world order remains the “law of the jungle” of the strong preying on the weak

一、当前世界秩序的底层逻辑仍然是弱肉强食的“丛林法则”

The modern world system in which we currently find ourselves is a capitalist institutional system that originated in Europe at the end of the 15th century, expanded over several centuries, and gradually extended to the entire globe. The primitive accumulation and expansion of capitalism were, from the very beginning, filled with violence and bloodshed. The Portuguese and Spanish on the Iberian Peninsula were the first to use the slave trade along the coasts of North and West Africa to drive the primitive accumulation of capital; after opening up the route to the Americas, European colonists first killed large numbers of indigenous people and plundered the wealth accumulated in the Americas over thousands of years, and then, supported by large-scale slave trade, achieved the seizure of so-called “terra nullius” in the Americas. As Marx said, “Capital comes into the world dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt.” Over several centuries, Western countries, relying on advanced military force, plundered colonies, controlled global resources and markets, completed the primitive accumulation of capital, achieved continuous expansion, and ultimately formed two worlds separated by a chasm of wealth: one is the “garden” of the developed country group with 1 billion people, and the other is the “jungle” of the Global South with 7 billion people.

我们目前所处的现代世界体系，是15世纪末从欧洲发端，经过数百年扩张，逐步扩展至全球范围的资本主义制度体系。资本主义的原始积累和扩张，从一开始就充满了暴力与血腥。伊比利亚半岛上的葡萄牙人和西班牙人，最早利用在北非、西非沿岸的奴隶贸易，推动了资本的原始积累；在打通美洲航线之后，欧洲殖民者先是杀害大量原住民、劫掠美洲数千年积累的财富，继而以大规模奴隶贸易为支撑，实现了对所谓美洲“无主之地”的侵占。就像马克思所说的那样，“资本来到世间，从头到脚，每个毛孔都滴着血和肮脏的东西”。在几百年里，西方国家凭借着先进武力，掠夺殖民地、控制全球资源和市场，完成了资本的原始积累，实现着持续扩张，最终形成了由贫富鸿沟隔开的两个世界：一个是拥有10亿人的发达国家集团的“花园”，另一个是拥有70亿人的南方国家“丛林”。

Looking back at history, it is not difficult to find that the development of developed countries largely relied on plundering the Global South. Taking China and India as examples, in the 100 years after China became a semi-colonial country, it paid so-called “indemnities” totaling 950 million taels of silver, more than ten times the annual fiscal revenue of the Qing government in 1901; [1]1 The Qing government (1644–1912) was the last imperial dynasty of China. The indemnity figure cited refers to payments imposed by foreign powers after the Boxer Rebellion (1900–1901), formalized in the Boxer Protocol of 1901. India, as a British colony, was regarded as an “empire that lays golden eggs.” Under the plunder of modern violence composed of pistons, swords, and money, at least £1 billion of India’s wealth flowed to Britain. According to the research of economic historians, the funds for Britain’s Industrial Revolution largely came from India. The funds needed for Japan’s industrial revolution and gold standard reform came from the war indemnities extorted from China. [2]2 Japan’s industrial revolution and adoption of the gold standard in the late 19th century were financed in part by the indemnity extracted from China after the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), under the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Similarly, the reason the United States was able to ascend to global hegemony relied heavily on the war profits it made during the First and Second World Wars.

回顾历史不难发现，发达国家之所以发达，很大程度上是靠对南方国家的掠夺起家的。以中国和印度为例，中国在成为半殖民地国家的100年里，仅付出的所谓各种“赔款”就高达95亿两白银，超过清政府1901年度财政收入的十多倍；而作为英国殖民地的印度，更是被视为“帝国能下金蛋的鹅”，在活塞、刀剑和金钱组成的现代暴力的掠夺下，印度至少有10亿英镑的财富流向了英国。据经济史学家的研究，英国实现工业革命的资金很大程度上来自印度。而日本工业革命和金本位制改造所需资金，则来自勒索中国的战争赔款。同样，美国之所以能够登顶全球霸主，很大程度上依靠第一次和第二次世界大战时期所发的战争财。

To this day, the maximization of global capital accumulation still relies on the superprofits provided by the countries of the Global South, that is, a kind of “national surplus value.” [3]3 “National surplus value” is a term used by the authors to describe the surplus value extracted from the Global South by core capitalist states, extending Marx’s concept of surplus value from the enterprise level to the international level. For this reason, in the eyes of realist theorists who occupy the mainstream of Western thought, the current international community is still a “jungle society” where the strong bully the weak, and the “law of the jungle” of the strong preying on the weak is the only real law. Capital empires and powerful states occupy the top of the food chain in the world’s jungle society and will not tolerate any country or person challenging the established order they dominate. China was the first to propose building a community with a shared future for mankind, breaking the underlying rules of the jungle world, and will inevitably face hostility from the global capital group and encounter desperate resistance from wolves and tigers. We must have a clear understanding of this.

时至今日，全球资本的最大化积累依然要靠来自全球南方国家提供的超额利润，即一种“国家剩余价值”。正因此，在占据西方思想界主流的现实主义理论家眼里，目前国际社会的主体还是恃强凌弱的“丛林社会”，弱肉强食的“丛林法则”是其中唯一真实的法则。资本帝国、强国占据世界丛林社会食物链的顶端，容不得任何国家、任何人挑战它们主导的现实秩序。中国率先提出要构建人类命运共同体，打破丛林世界的底层规则，必然会受到来自全球资本集团的敌视，并遭受豺狼虎豹们的拼死反抗。对此，我们要有清醒的认识。

II. Hegemonism and power politics are important causes of global division and also stumbling blocks on the path toward common development and common security for mankind

二、霸权主义和强权政治是导致全球分裂的重要原因，也是人类走向共同发展、共同安全道路的绊脚石

Hegemonism, as a category of international politics, is a product of the development of modern capitalism into the era of imperialism. It mainly refers to the concepts and behaviors of capital empires and powerful states that, relying on their military and economic strength, establish international systems and global orders under their control, and use various violent means and threats of violence to maximize their own interests. Power politics is an important manifestation of hegemonism in the field of international politics, mainly characterized by hegemonic states interfering in the internal and external affairs of small and weak countries by force, believing in “might makes right” in international politics, acting tyrannically, transcending international law, and acting as a bully on a global scale.

作为国际政治范畴的霸权主义，是现代资本主义发展到帝国主义时代的产物，它主要指资本帝国、强国凭借其军事和经济实力，建立由其操控的国际体系和全球秩序，运用各种暴力手段和威胁使用暴力的方式获取自身利益最大化的观念与行为。而强权政治则是霸权主义在国际政治领域的重要体现，主要表现为霸权国家凭借强力干涉小国、弱国的内政外交，在国际政治中信奉“强权即公理”，行事霸道，超越国际法，在世界范围称王称霸。

Since the capitalist global system entered the imperialist stage, hegemonism and power politics have been rampant, becoming the main ways and tools for capital-strong countries to obtain benefits. From political hegemony that is self-centered, takes itself as the standard, proceeds entirely from strength, and acts with power, to economic hegemony aimed at obtaining monopoly profits, trade hegemony that arbitrarily sanctions other countries, technological hegemony that collects high patent fees and prohibits other countries from surpassing, military hegemony that freely uses force and threatens with force, information hegemony that monopolizes media, controls communication, and suppresses different voices, and financial hegemony that overissues currency, manipulates exchange rates, and achieves “shearing the sheep” by creating crises, [4]4 “Shearing the sheep” (薅羊毛) is a Chinese colloquialism for exploiting or profiting at the expense of others, often used in the context of financial manipulation by hegemonic powers. all kinds of hegemonism have become tools and means for capital empires to plunder by trickery and force. It can be said that hegemonism and power politics are important causes of the current global inequality and injustice, and also the root of the widespread severe poverty and frequent wars in the world.

自资本主义全球体系进入帝国主义阶段，霸权主义和强权政治便大行其道，霸权与强权成为资本强国获取利益的主要方式与工具。从唯我独尊、以我为准，一切从实力出发、以强权行事的政治霸权，到以获得垄断利润为目标的经济霸权，动辄制裁他国的贸易霸权，收取高额专利费用、禁止他国超越的科技霸权，随意使用武力和以武力相威胁的军事霸权，垄断媒体、控制传播、扼制不同声音的信息霸权，滥发货币、操控汇率、通过制造危机实现“薅羊毛”的金融霸权等，各种各样的霸权都已成为资本帝国巧取豪夺的工具与手段。可以说，霸权主义和强权政治是导致目前全球性不平等、不公平的重要原因，也是世界普遍存在严重贫困、战乱频发的根源。

It needs to be particularly pointed out that hegemonic states at the top of the jungle world’s food chain have long monopolized generous “hegemonic dividends.” For them, any rational criticism or moral condemnation is less important than tangible interests. This is the fundamental reason why hegemonic states must maintain global hegemony and insist on power politics. It goes without saying that hegemonism and power politics are important guarantees for maintaining the unfair and unequal world order, and are stumbling blocks on the road to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

需要特别指出的是，处于丛林世界食物链顶端的霸权国家，长期独占着丰厚的“霸权红利”。对其而言，任何理性批判或是道义的谴责，都比不上实实在在的利益更加重要。这是霸权国家一定要维护全球霸权、坚持强权政治的根本原因。毋庸讳言，霸权主义与强权政治是维持世界不公平、不平等秩序的重要保障，是横亘在构建人类命运共同体道路上的绊脚石。

III. Establish the basic principle of “extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits” in the field of world politics, and strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind

三、在世界政治领域确立“共商、共建、共享”的基本原则，努力构建人类命运共同体

The core of the global architecture for building a community with a shared future for mankind is to seek peace instead of war, development instead of poverty, cooperation instead of confrontation, and win-win instead of zero-sum. We must promote coordination and cooperation among all countries, unify the interests of the people of our own country with the interests of the people of all countries, and move forward in the direction of building a community with a shared future for mankind. In this process, we must adhere to the basic principle of “extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits” and oppose hegemonism and power politics.

构建人类命运共同体的全球架构，其核心就是要和平不要战争、要发展不要贫穷、要合作不要对抗、要共赢不要单赢。我们要推动各国加强协调与合作，把本国人民利益同世界各国人民利益统一起来，朝着构建人类命运共同体的方向前行。在这个过程中，必须坚持“共商、共建、共享”的基本原则，反对霸权主义和强权政治。

The so-called “extensive consultation” means that, on the basis of respecting the diversity of civilizations, strengthening cultural inclusiveness, and recognizing the diversification of interests, matters are discussed together, differences are resolved through consultation when they arise, and no one imposes their will on others; in the process of formulating global frameworks and world orders, the people of all countries and all ethnic groups should conduct extensive and full consultation. Although there are differences in race, religion, culture, customs, etc., among countries and regions in today’s world, we believe that the people of all countries share a common aspiration, that is, the pursuit of peace, prosperity, freedom, and harmony. The concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind reflects, to a certain extent, the fundamental interests of the people of all countries, can help humanity create a better life, and satisfy the people’s aspiration for a better life, and thus can gain broad recognition from the international community. Through extensive consultation, outdated concepts and practices such as beggar-thy-neighbor, zero-sum, exclusive alliances, and exclusive enjoyment can be abandoned, and concepts such as rights, interests, and responsibilities in international relations can be redefined. Under the condition that the fundamental principle of national sovereignty remains unchanged, the concepts of related rights, related interests, and related responsibilities in international relations can be highlighted, mutual understanding can be promoted, interests can be balanced, contradictions can be reconciled and resolved, and consensus can be condensed and formed.

所谓“共商”，即在尊重文明多样性、加强文化包容性、承认利益多元化的基础上，有事共同商议，遇到分歧协商解决，不强加于人；在制定全球框架和世界秩序的过程中，各国各族人民要进行广泛充分的商议。当今世界国家和地区之间虽然存在着种族、宗教、文化、习俗等差异，但我们相信各国人民都拥有共同的愿望，那就是追求和平、富足、自由、和谐。构建人类命运共同体理念在一定程度上体现了各国人民的根本利益，能够促使人类创造更美好的生活，满足人民对美好生活的向往，因而可以得到国际社会的广泛认同。通过共商可以摒弃以邻为壑、你输我赢、排他结盟、独占独享等陈旧观念和做法，重新界定国际关系中的权利、利益、责任等概念，在国家主权根本原则不变的条件下，突出国际关系中的关联权利、关联利益、关联责任，推进相互了解、平衡彼此利益、调和化解矛盾、凝聚形成共识。

The so-called “joint contribution” means jointly participating in and advancing the construction of the global order, and promoting and maintaining the global agenda and world order through joint action; all countries should cooperate and help each other in the transformation of the global governance system, achieving effective integration and concerted action among countries.

所谓“共建”，即共同参与推进全球秩序的建设，以共同行动推动全球议程和世界秩序的构建与维护；各国在全球治理体系变革中应该互助合作，实现各国之间的有效融合与一致行动。

The so-called “shared benefits” means achieving mutual benefits for multiple parties through institutionalized cooperation, so that the people of all countries in the world can enjoy universal security and share the fruits of development together. Building a community with a shared future for mankind cannot be just the development and prosperity of a few countries; it must pursue inclusive and balanced development for all countries in the world, enabling all countries and regions to enter the track of mutual benefit, win-win, and common prosperity.

所谓“共享”，即通过制度化的合作实现多方共同获益，世界各国人民能够拥有普遍的安全、共同享有发展的成果。构建人类命运共同体，不能只是少数国家的发展和繁荣，而是要追求世界各国的普惠和均衡发展，使各个国家和地区一起驶入互利共赢和共同繁荣的轨道。

To build a community with a shared future for mankind, it is necessary to oppose the maximization of interests by a single country or a special group, refrain from forming small circles, and promote the construction of a mutually beneficial global system and mechanism. The international community must work together to reform and improve the existing system of international rules, while simultaneously redesigning the global architecture and making more effective institutional arrangements, so that all countries and their peoples gain a greater sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security through cooperation and openness, thereby providing lasting impetus and stronger guarantees for cooperation and openness. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, “The destiny of the world should be jointly controlled by all countries, international rules should be jointly written by all countries, global affairs should be jointly governed by all countries, and the fruits of development should be jointly shared by all countries.” In the view of the Chinese people, a fine global architecture is not a gift from heaven, nor a fantasy from people’s minds, but the result of mutual consultation and joint creation by the peoples of the world. Extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits constitute China’s vision of global governance, and opposing hegemonism and power politics is an inherent part of this vision.

构建人类命运共同体，必须反对单一国家或特殊集团的利益最大化，不搞小圈子，推动互利共赢的全球体制和机制建设。国际社会要共同努力改革和完善现有国际规则体系，同时进行全球架构的再设计，作出更有效的相关制度安排，使世界各国及其人民在合作与开放中有更多的获得感、幸福感和安全感，为合作与开放提供持久动力和更加有力的保障。正如习近平主席指出的那样，“世界命运应该由各国共同掌握，国际规则应该由各国共同书写，全球事务应该由各国共同治理，发展成果应该由各国共同分享”。在中国人看来，一个美好的全球架构不是来自上苍的馈赠，也不是来自人们头脑中的幻想，而是由世界人民相互协商、共同创造的结果。共商、共建、共享，是中国的全球治理观，反对霸权主义和强权政治是其题中应有之义。

(Author bios: Kong Dan, Chairman of the CITIC Reform and Development Research Foundation; Wang Xiangsui, Professor at Beihang University)

（作者简介：孔丹，中信改革发展研究基金会理事长；王湘穗，北京航空航天大学教授）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心