Active Defense offers the first systematic look at China’s 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’s 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 (Princeton). Twitter @fravel
"The first book to provide a comprehensive history of China’s military doctrine as it has evolved since the founding of the People’s Republic."—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs
"A classic that is likely to have great long-term influence."—Chas W. Freeman, Jr., Book Post
"An outstanding contribution to the canon on Chinese military and strategic affairs."—James Mulvenon, China Quarterly
"Rich in context and history."—Ankit Panda, War on the Rocks
"Active Defense confirms Fravel’s standing as one of the top experts on China's national security strategy."—Karl Eikenberry, Stanford University and former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
"Anyone interested in the implications of China’s rise should read this book."—Thomas 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."—Caitlin Talmadge, Georgetown University
