Active Defense offers the first systematic look at China鈥檚 military strategy from the mid-twentieth century to today. Exploring the range and intensity of threats that China has faced, M. Taylor Fravel illuminates the nation鈥檚 past and present military goals, and offers a rich set of cases for deepening the study of how and why states alter their defense policies.
Awards and Recognition
- 2019 War on the Rocks Holiday Reading List
M. Taylor Fravel is the Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science and Director of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the author of Strong Borders, Secure Nation (快色直播). Twitter @fravel
"The first book to provide a comprehensive history of China鈥檚 military doctrine as it has evolved since the founding of the People鈥檚 Republic."鈥擜ndrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs
"A classic that is likely to have great long-term influence."鈥擟has W. Freeman, Jr., Book Post
"An outstanding contribution to the canon on Chinese military and strategic affairs."鈥擩ames Mulvenon, China Quarterly
"Rich in context and history."鈥擜nkit Panda, War on the Rocks
"Active Defense confirms Fravel鈥檚 standing as one of the top experts on China's national security strategy."鈥擪arl Eikenberry, Stanford University and former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
"Anyone interested in the implications of China鈥檚 rise should read this book."鈥擳homas J. Christensen, author of The China Challenge
"Active Defense is a brilliant tour de force on the sources of stasis and change in Chinese military strategy."鈥擟aitlin Talmadge, Georgetown University
