The Philosophy of Chinese Military Culture: Shih vs. Li

Drawing on ancient texts and modern interpretations, this work explores the foundations for war in China's strategic culture--Shih, Li, and Tao. Shih theory bases strategy on enemy intent, in contrast to Euro-American Li strategies based on forces. The work uses Shih theory to explain the anomalies that continue to perplex Euro-American observers in modern China's uses of force.