The essence of formalism is simple: it’s a test of obedience. It’s how those above check whether those below will submit.
形式主义的本质是权力向下的服从性测试，服从者对权力的服从证明。
It’s not about whether the orders I give make sense, or whether they matter, or whether they’re hollow.
不在于我下达的指令对不对，是不是虚头巴脑，有没有实质意义，
It’s about whether you obey. And if you don’t, well—no one is short of one more disobedient person.
而在于你有没有服从。没有服从，那很好，不差你一个。
It’s not about whether the orders you give are good, reasonable, or legal, or whether they hold real value.
不在于你下达的指令好不好，是不是合理合法，有没有实际价值，
It’s about showing loyalty. I want to latch onto power, to live off it, and to gain more power and more resources.
而在于我想表忠心。我想寄生在权力上，获得权力以及更多资源。
When power has no checks, it selects for obedience.
当权力没有受到制约时，它会筛选出一堆服从者。
These followers, eager to feed off the structure, will inevitably throw their weight around.
这些服从者为了寄生在权力结构上，作威作福，
To do that, they need to enforce obedience tests. They need to manage those below and please those above.
就必然要通过服从性测试，对上做好管理，让上头满意，
So of course formalism thrives. It marches on, unwavering.
因而形式主义当然会大行其道，坚定不移地执行，
Mock it, and you’ll be punished for “provoking trouble” or “insulting authority.”
但凡对此有嘲讽，均以寻衅滋事、侮辱处置。
But if power were checked—really checked—would formalism still be executed with such devotion?
当权力受到制约时，你看看还形式主义还会不会被坚定不移地执行？
When those in power can no longer bully, seek private gain, or trade resources through rent-seeking—
权力无法作威作福，大谋私利，权力无法寻租，资源置换，
The result is clear: formalism would be mocked, challenged, drowned in the voices of the public and the lower ranks.
那么结果是什么，形式主义会被嘲讽、冒犯、淹死在民众和下层的口水中。