Official ideology in the People's Republic of China-evolution and impact on foreign policy
By: Gerald F. Harper, Jr
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 110
Description: After the demise of Soviet communism, the People's Republic of China (PRC) is often considered an      anachronism and relic of a failed philosophy and system. Moreover, Chinese leaders are )assumed to be      abandoning their communist roots in all but official rhetoric as the country pursues economic modernization.      In fact, the Chinese form of communism has evolved significantly. Struggle has given way to stability, austerity      to prosperity, and hostility to peaceful co-existence. This transition has had tremendous ramifications for PRC      foreign and security policies. What was once a highly articulated and systematic ideology, providing a distinct      and accurate guide to policy choices in the international arena, has become more akin to a set of general      principles to guide behavior in an increasingly complex system. This thesis asserts, however, that while many      of the specific tenets of Maoism have fallen to the wayside or been modified, many of the concepts, language,      and thought processes of Chinese communism continue to form the thinking of Chinese policy-makers, thus      they interpret and justify foreign policy choices in ideological terms. Consequently, ideology is more relevant      to political processes in China than is commonly recognized.
Notes: Thesis advisor(s): Monte R. Bullard, Mary P. Callahan.

"June 1998."

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-108).

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.

US Marine Corps (USMC) author.

dk/dk cc:9116 9/15/98.