China's Use of Military Force: Beyond the Great Wall and the Long March (Cambridge Modern China Series) [Paperback]

Andrew Scobell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521525853 | ISBN-13: 978-0521525855 | Publication Date: September 8, 2003 | Edition: 1

Andrew Scobell examines the use of Chinese military force abroad as in Korea (1950), Vietnam (1979), and the Taiwan Strait (1995-1996) and domestically, as during the Cultural Revolution of the late 1960s and in the 1989 military crackdown in Tiananmen square. Scobell warns that a "Cult of Defense" disposes Chinese leaders to rationalize all military deployment as defensive. However, changes in the People's Liberation Army's doctrine and capabilities over the past two decades suggest that China's 21st Century leaders may use military force more readily than their predecessors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this thoughtful, thoroughly researched study of traditional Chinese views about the military and Beijing's present-day use of force, Scobell concludes that the traditional 'cult of defense' blended realpolitik and Confucian pacifism--allowing the Chinese to convince themselves that thet used force only as a last resort and thus to commit to warfare with abandon when they deemed it necessary. The bulk of the book consists of case studies...for which he draws on the latest scholarship and newly opened Chinese and Russian archives). He finds that the Chinese military is far from a monolithic institution, and that its relationship with the state has changed considerably over time....In the end, the Chinese come out looking neither as pacific as many believe nor as bellicose as others fear." Foreign Affairs

"Whether and how China will pose a strategic threat is one of the top questions in U.S. national security policy. So far debate has been dominated by pat theories and facile analogies. Scobell's investigation of the actual record of Chinese use of force over the past half-century, his fascinating interpretation of Chinese strategic culture, and his novel explanation of the cult of the defensivea and its implications, all serve to firm up the basis for estimating possible future strategic initiatives by the PRC." Richard K. Betts, Director, Institute of War and Peace Studies, Columbia University

"This book is a comprehensive history and analysis of China's military its leadership, its internal and external struggles, and above all it's application of force. Andrew Scobell is well qualified for this task, and his book should be required reading for all those who aspire to anticipate China's future military actions." James Lilley, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Ambassador to China, 1989-1991

"Andrew Scobell's contribution to this debate is a clearly written presentation of a sensible and moderate view. A commendable and original aspect is Scobell's inclusion of intra-state violence. It is an excellent introduction to the subject, and is recommended for laypersons and China scholars alike." Pacific Affairs, Harlan W. Jencks, University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.

"In this very solid book...the author has demonstrated just how important it is to use all available tools to decipher China's conduct." He has produced the admirable, multidimensional study he set out to write...a welcome contribution to the dispassionate analysis of a subject that is going to stay controversial for a very long time." Parameters, Dr. Mel Gurtov

Book Description

In this unique study of China's militarism, Andrew Scobell examines the use of force abroad -- as in Korea (1950), Vietnam (1979), and the Taiwan Strait (1995-1996) -- and domestically, as during the Cultural Revolution of the late 1960s and in the 1989 military crackdown in Tiananmen square. The author warns that a "Cult of Defense" disposes Chinese leaders to rationalize all military deployment as defensive, while changes in the People's Liberation Army's doctrine and capabilities over the past two decades suggest that China's 21st Century leaders may use military force more readily than their predecessors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (September 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521525853
• ISBN-13: 978-0521525855
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,244,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Scobell's argument for a Chinese "Cult of Defense" is strong...., January 18, 2006

By 

A. G. Corwin - See all my reviews
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This review is from: China's Use of Military Force: Beyond the Great Wall and the Long March (Cambridge Modern China Series) (Paperback)

Andrew Scobell's book China's Use of Military Force gives Western readers and government professionals a fascinating insight into Communist China's historical use of military power. This book is not overburdened by verbiage and reads quite easily, and makes some potent insights into the mindset of Chinese leaders. With China and Taiwan a ongoing hot button issue, this book is especially relevant.

Scobell argues that the Chinese government's decision making process for military actions has always been one of the "cult of defense". What is unusual about this doctrine is that their notion of self-defense includes aggresive offensive action to counter the possibility of a threat to their borders as well as their Communist leadership. The most notable examples of this are the border war with Vietnam in the 70's and the Chinese intervention in Korea in 1950. Scobell also argues that the "cult of defense" includes internal matters that threaten the stability of the communist leadership, ie Tianamen Square. Despite commonly held beliefs that it is the PLA military leaders who wish for action, in most cases it has been the civilian government pushing for action with the military arguing for restraint.

What does this mean for the future? Scobell believes that the established use of this doctrine makes it more likely that China would act aggresively in the future towards its neighbors, IF it feels that the neighbor's actions threaten them in some manner. It is not quite clear what boundries limit this theory, for example, would the Chinese use military force to secure the entire Spratly Island chain if it believed that other countries would attempt to access its oil fields? Based on Scobell's thesis, the answer would likely be yes. Overall a well argued and researched book, and one not to be taken lightly when discussing the strategic situation in Asia.