Military thought in early China / Christopher C. Rand.

Author
Rand, Christopher C. (Christopher Clark), 1950- [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Albany, NY : State University of New York Press, [2017]
Description
viii, 233 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Availability

Copies in the Library

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Firestone Library - Stacks U43.C6 R44 2017 Browse related items Request

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    Subject(s)
    Summary note
    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.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references (pages 163-222) and index.
    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.
    ISBN
    • 9781438465173 ((hardcover ; : alkaline paper))
    • 1438465173 ((hardcover ; : alkaline paper))
    LCCN
    2016031409
    OCLC
    959552277
    Other standard number
    • 40027281024
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