Military thought in early China / Christopher C. Rand.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rand, Christopher C. (Christopher Clark), 1950- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Military art and science--China--History.

Military art and science.

Militarism.

History.

Intellectual life.

China.

China--Intellectual life--History.

Militarism--China--History.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

viii, 233 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Albany, NY : State University of New York Press, [2017]

Summary:

This study of the philosophy of war in early China examines the recurring debate, from antiquity through the Western Han period (202 BCE?8 CE), about how to achieve a proper balance between martial (wu) force and civil (wen) governance in the pursuit of a peaceful state. Rather than focusing solely on Sunzi?s Art of War and other military treatises from the Warring States era (ca. 475?221 BCE), Christopher C. Rand analyzes the evolution of this debate by examining a broad corpus of early Han and pre-Han texts, including works uncovered in archeological excavations during recent decades. What emerges is a framework for understanding early China?s military philosophy as an ongoing negotiation between three major alternatives: militarism, compartmentalism, and syncretism. The book offers a look into China?s historical experience with a perennial issue that is not only of continuing relevance to modern-day China but also pertinent to other world states seeking to sustain strong and harmonious societies.

Contents:

The emergence of the Wen/wu problem

The achievement of balance

The western Zhou solution

Evolution in Chunqiu times

New solutions in the Zhanguo era

Militarism

Compartmentalism

Syncretism

Conclusion

The metaphysics of generalship

The general as sage

Psychical power

Metaphysical dynamics

The ultimate battle

The practical and meta-practical

Organizational models

Training and administration

Military law

War preparedness

Intelligence measures

Collection and analysis

Deception and covert action

Views of military thinkers

The moral dimension of war

Laozi

Kongzi

Yanzi

Mengzi

Xunzi

Mozi

Songzi

Military thinkers

The permutations of western Han

Realignment of solutions

Wen/wu and foreign policy

A double paradox

Effects of social and institutional changes

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Rand, Christopher C. (Christopher Clark), 1950- Military thought in early China.

ISBN:

9781438465173

1438465173

OCLC:

959552277