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The Philosophy of Chinese Military Culture: Shih vs. Li

The Philosophy of Chinese Military Culture: Shih vs. Li
By William H. Mott, Jae Chang Kim

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Product Description

Drawing on ancient texts and modern interpretations, this work explores the foundations for war in China’s strategic culture--Shih, Li, and Tao. Shih theory bases strategy on enemy intent, in contrast to Euro-American Li strategies based on forces. The work uses Shih theory to explain the anomalies that continue to perplex Euro-American observers in modern China’s uses of force.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #1132203 in Books
  • Published on: 2006-04-03
  • Released on: 2006-03-16
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • 320 pages

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This volume is a vitally important contribution to understanding the impact of cultural factors on Chinese strategic thought and, as such, a necessary antidote to the unfortunate tendency to analyze other militaries through Euro-American conceptions of war and power. It is essential reading for those seeking to comprehend how China’s political and military leaders think about, and perhaps even plan for, the use of force in twenty-first-century conflicts. With meticulous research and documentation, the authors trace the development of Chinese strategic culture from the ancient world to the present and assess its implications for Beijing’s approach to military modernization and war."--Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr., Tufts University and Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis
"Written from within the Asian strategic perspective, General Kim’s book provides the first examination of 'Shi' or 'strategic power,' a concept that proved vital in historical battles and remains crucial to the PRC’s quest to formulate contemporary military science with unique Chinese characteristics."--Ralph D. Sawyer, author of Seven Military Classics of Ancient China




About the Author
William H. Mott, IV teaches International Politics and Political Thought at Emerson College. Jae Chang Kim is co-chairman of the Council on Korea-US Security Studies.

Customer Reviews

Applied Sun Tzu-Shih in practice4
The chapter of Sun Tzu's Art of War which seems the most deep is the chapter on Shih-the potentiality of things like water, armies, etc. to go from calm to forceful based on the comamnder's actions. This book applies these principles of Shih to historical and contemporary chinese forign policy and military actions. A complex subject, read "The Propensity of Things" by Jullien first and then enjoy. There is a passing comment on wei qui (the game Go) as a proxy.