ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses political narratives as a constitutive element of grand strategy. Political narratives frame, accompany and justify the objectives, the efforts, and the cost of grand strategic pursuits. The chapter identifies five levels of political narratives. Each level entails specific content. The author focuses on the fourth level of political narratives, namely, the national level. At this level, the political narrative draws its content from the nation’s experience, the collective values, and the aspirations of its people. The creation of a political narrative at this level must capture the pulse of the nation. This chapter identifies the Chinese national political narratives that capture the pulse of the nation. It is created to enlist the enthusiastic adhesion and participation of the Chinese people in the pursuit of the nation’s grand strategic objectives. Indeed, the execution of grand strategic operations is a comprehensive endeavor that requires the allocation of resources and personnel. It necessitates the involvement of various instruments of statecraft. It consumes energy. It requires effort and cost. They must be justified. The justification is provided through the creation of political narratives.
