A Contradiction in Will: Understanding China's Strategic Culture in a Civil-Military Context

Given China’s civil-military relationship, how consistent is its military’s perspectives on the use of force with those of the party-state government? By adopting a cultural framework of analysis, this study utilizes a methodology rooted in social constructivism to examine the strategic policies of the party-state government, followed by an analysis of the government’s relationship with the military and its beliefs and values towards the use of force. Interactions between the ruling Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army frame the discourse and narrative underscoring how military force is conceived, perceived and implemented within China. This study concludes that China’s use of force is impacted by the military’s willingness to use force on behalf of the party-state government. This impact is most evident in the internal use of force where trends suggest that the military’s interests conflict with those of the party-state government.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Strategic Studies (MSS)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Military and Strategic Studies

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Rakebrand, Jeff

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Terriff, Terry

• Anthropology--Cultural
• History--Asia, Australia, and Oceania
• Military Studies

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/24681

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/1301