Cosmic and Cognitive Geography: The Four "Musts" of the Communist Party of China -- Power, Xiaokang, Tianxia, Datong-shu, and the Path to 2050 and Beyond
Abstract
This manuscript argues that in competing with the Communist Party of China, the United States national security apparatus must broaden beyond the idea of bounded competition and embrace ideological battle occurring within the interconnection context. This approach differs from most scholarship on Chinese strategy, which views CPC strategic efforts through a unitary state foreign policy analysis perspective. In terms of methodology, this approach uses a cognitive perspective relying on international relations, Marxian and Marxian adaptations to Confucian theories to construct a plausibility probe of CPC intent. The manuscript provides a blueprint on how the CPC uses power and the concepts of xiaokang (moderately well of), tianxia (all under heaven), and Datong-Shu (Book of the Great Harmony) to bring about the world dream c. 2050. While unitary state approaches justifiably view state-centered matters, the cognitive perspective approach allows for an analysis of the interconnected ideological networks operating globally and within the US, based on sympathy with the CPCs world dream. Understanding the CPCs cognitive perspective and networked strategic approach will allow US policy makers and military officials the opportunity to select a variety of competition mechanisms to counter the CPC, below the level of war, and out to 2050.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 03, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1147735
Entities
People
- Frederick C. Jackson
Organizations
- Naval War College