Chapter 6: The Chinese strategic mind at work: the case of Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, the late leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the founding father of People’s Republic of China, which was established in 1949, may be considered as the best Chinese wartime strategist. A countless number of books, journal articles and doctoral dissertations, both in China and abroad, can be found on various aspects of Mao Zedong’s thought. In particular, there has been a resurrection of interest in reassessing Mao’s role in China’s history. Metaphorically, if research on Mao Zedong is seen from a marketing point of view, there are the researchers (marketers) who undertake ‘mass marketing’, studying Mao Zedong’s whole life; there are those who conduct ‘differentiated marketing’, looking into a major aspect of his life’s work such as his dialectic, poetry, philosophy or military thought; and there are those who carry out ‘concentrated marketing’, focusing on a particular point of his thought or action, examples being his thought about ‘the Cultural Revolution’ or ‘class struggle’. It is the concentrated marketing approach that this chapter uses, tapping into Mao’s strategic mind: how it has been formed and put into practice successfully. It is an area into which few researchers have ventured. Why is Mao Zedong’s mind chosen as a case study for Chinese strategic thinking? Mao Zedong represents the best indigenous Chinese strategic mind: embracing Tao, skilfully utilising stratagems, manipulating enemies, demonstrating Chinese dialectic, riding, creating and borrowing shi to the fullest and leading with the maximum of agility.
You are not authenticated to view the full text of this chapter or article.
Elgaronline requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books or journals. Please login through your library system or with your personal username and password on the homepage.
Non-subscribers can freely search the site, view abstracts/ extracts and download selected front matter and introductory chapters for personal use.
Your library may not have purchased all subject areas. If you are authenticated and think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.