A Comparative Analysis of Military Education between Chinese Universities and the West: A Marxist Perspective

Xu Yang; Liang Xue

doi:10.25159/1947-9417/18365

Authors

Xu Yang Guangdong University of Education https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1414-6432
Liang Xue Guangdong University of Education https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1275-5983

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/1947-9417/18365

Keywords:

military education, curriculum ideology, Marxist theory of war, ideological reproduction, socialism with Chinese characteristics

Abstract

As global security dynamics intensify in the post-Cold War era, the ideological foundations of military education diverge sharply between China and the West. This article analyses the Chinese model in universities through the lens of the Marxist theory of war, arguing that its military education system, rooted in the proletariat’s revolutionary tradition, transcends the Western capitalist orientation. Not only does Chinese military education take on the task of military skills training, but it also fosters a strong identification with the national system and socialist core values among the younger generation by incorporating ideological education into the curriculum. By integrating political education with military skills training, Chinese universities cultivate national identity and socialist values, in contrast to Western military academies’ emphasis on individualised professionalism and imperialistic narratives. Despite the challenges of globalisation and civil-military integration, Chinese military education resists capitalist influence by reinforcing the Communist Party of China’s leadership and people-centred values. The study highlights the dual function of military courses as tools for ideological reproduction and strategic modernisation, providing critical insights into the structural tensions between socialism and global capitalism.

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