China Cultural Awareness Book Report

China Cultural Awareness Book Report

Introduction

I chose the book On China by Henry Kissinger to analyze the country I was assigned because it was a fairly new book. On China was written in 2011, information throughout the book was relevant, up to date, and easy to comprehend. Throughout the last few months of Warrant Officer Basic Course we have been introduced to numerous tools that help us during the Targeting process. One of the tools that we utilized was the acronym PMESII-PT (political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time.) This acronym is utilized in regards to analyzing a specific operational environment for a given area. The focal point of my analysis of the book On China is in regards to PMESII-PT, and I utilized this concept to help break down my book into specific areas that will allow for a better interpretation and understanding of the country.

The history of China has various regional Centers of origin. The country boasts of the oldest civilizations of the world. The country’s history reveals transformations in terms of diplomacy, strategy, and the techniques the country has applied to gain global power in the current century. Therefore, understanding the cultural history of the country must first involve the understanding of the rich history of the country from what was referred to then as the middle kingdom to the present. The various dynasty rise and falls, their limited level of culture openness to outside world, and the level of social harmony that was maintained in the Chinese society, marked the country’s history. The country’s history dates back to 4000 years ago and is unique with philosophy and arts.

The political, Military, Economic, Social, In...

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...alysis to be conducted. I will strongly argue that this book aided in my professional development by helping me understand the cultural differences between the United States and China, thus improving my overall knowledge of the country. I believe that military leaders at all levels should take part in some type of cultural read / analysis. As a leader in today’s Army we should have a general knowledge of other countries, especially ones that are economic and military driven. Reading this book definitely displayed my weakness or lack of knowledge of the country of China. I will also argue that all reading lists should have a cultural book of China on their reading list, it will only improve and educate our force by use being able to understand other countries.

Work cited

Kissinger, Henry. On China. New York: Penguin Press, 2011. Print