| For over two decades the People's Republic of China (PRC) has implemented a wide-ranging policy of defense conversion that has deeply affected the entire military institution in China. The armed forces, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), has been forced to give up many resources, subject others to civilian control, and use yet others to help the civilian sector. What overall effect has defense conversion had on the quality and/or quantity of PLA resources—and thus fighting ability? To date there is no definitive answer.; First, no solid conclusions on this question have been reached in almost ten years of debate over how defense conversion has affected PLA resources—a debate that has been conducted by academic and policymaking circles in the US who are concerned with the implications for US national security interests. Second, there is scant guidance to be found in the theoretical literature on defense conversion, as writings are not only limited in quantity but also do not deal effectively with the definition of defense conversion, let alone the issue of the effects of defense conversion.; The goal of this dissertation is thus threefold. This research will first use a review of the Chinese defense conversion program to help hammer out a basic definition and typology of conversion, providing a point of departure for future theoretical work on defense conversion. Second, based on this definition and typology, this dissertation will look at the effects that defense conversion has had on PLA resources, paying particular attention to avoiding key analytical mistakes found in much of the present academic and policy analysis of the subject. Finally, implications will be drawn for those seeking to uncover what defense conversion means for PLA capabilities. |
