From Revolutionary Internationalism to Conservative Nationalism: The Chinese Military's Discourse on National Security and Identity in the Post-Mao Era

摘要

The eclipse of the Maoist era in the People's Republic of China (PRC) has been evident ever since Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms released significant sectors of the country's economy from the dual grip of the Maoist mobilizational development strategy and Soviet-style central planning. Yet a more remarkable and less visible departure from Maoist ideology - one that has more important implications for the United States and the management of Asian security- has been taking place in the ideational realm of China's armed forces. Ever since Deng's 1985 'strategic decision' and the corresponding doctrinal change from the country's highest military decision-making body that same year to change Mao Zedong's emphasis on preparing for an early, large-scale, nuclear war, China's military has engaged in a new discourse that is departing from Maoist ideology and moving in a more conservative, nationalist direction.