Recent years have seen the emergence of a unique Taiwanese consciousness. What this so-called Taiwanisation is and how it came about are addressed in the first article. The evolution of this Taiwanese consciousness, and how it is perceived and presented by major political parties like the Democratic Progressive Party, the Kuomintang, the People First Party and the New Party, are then discussed. The process appears to be an irreversible one which might lead to Taiwan's self-determination.The second article offers a working definition of Taiwanisation. It then spells out the significance of understanding Taiwanisation and the motivations of the proponents of the Taiwanisation policy. A number of reasons are given as to why such a policy is necessary. The authors examine the strategies and tactics in implementing the Taiwanisation policy, weighing its effectiveness, Beijing's reaction, and the problems and prospects of pursuing this policy.
This book shows that Taiwan, unlike other countries, avoided serious economic disruption and social conflict, and arrived at its goal of multi-party competition with little blood shed. Nonetheless, this survey reveals that for those who imagine democracy to be the panacea for every social, economic and political ill, Taiwan's continuing struggles against corruption, isolation and division offer a cautionary lesson. This book is an ideal, one-stop resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students of political science, particuarly those interested in the international politics of China, and the Asia-Pacific.
This is a comprehensive portrait of Taiwan. It covers the major periods in the development of this small but powerful island province/nation. The work is designed in the style of the multi-volume "Cambridge History of China".
The peoples of Taiwan have been influenced by many different cultures and migrations throughout the island’s history. In the 20th and early 21st centuries especially it has been a stage for cultural and ethnic conflict, not least because of the arrival of mainland Chinese fleeing the Chinese Communist Revolution. The subsequent tensions between those who see Taiwan as a natural territory of China and those who would prefer to see it remain independent have brought to the fore questions of what it is to be ‘Taiwanese’. This book addresses the question of how Taiwanese identities have changed after the Taiwanization process which began in the 1990s. It also examines the impact of this process on cross-strait relations between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China after the return of the Kuomintang to power after 2008 and the Sunflower movement in 2014. The various contributors between them cover a range of topics including the waves of migration to Taiwan, changes of political regimes, generational differences and social movements. Taken as a whole, this book presents a nuanced picture of the patchwork of identities which exist in contemporary Taiwan.
" How Taiwan can overcome internal stresses and the threat from China Taiwan was a poster child for the “third wave” of global democratization in the 1980s. It was the first Chinese society to make the transition todemocracy, and it did so gradually and peacefully. But Taiwan today faces a host of internal issues, starting with the aging of society and the resulting intergenerational conflicts over spending priorities. China's long-term threat to incorporate the island on terms similar to those used for Hong Kong exacerbates the island's home-grown problems. Taiwan remains heavily dependent on the United States for its security, but it must use its own resources to cope with Beijing's constant intimidation and pressure. How Taiwan responds to the internal and external challenges it faces—and what the United States and other outside powers do to help—will determine whether it is able to stand its ground against China's ambitions. The book explores the broad range of issues and policy choices Taiwan confronts and offers suggestions both for what Taiwan can do to help itself and what the United States should do to improve Taiwan's chances of success. "
Recent years have seen the emergence of a unique Taiwanese consciousness. What this so-called Taiwanisation is and how it came about are addressed in the first article. The evolution of this Taiwanese consciousness, and how it is perceived and presented by major political parties like the Democratic Progressive Party, the Kuomintang, the People First Party and the New Party, are then discussed. The process appears to be an irreversible one which might lead to Taiwan's self-determination.The second article offers a working definition of Taiwanisation. It then spells out the significance of understanding Taiwanisation and the motivations of the proponents of the Taiwanisation policy. A number of reasons are given as to why such a policy is necessary. The authors examine the strategies and tactics in implementing the Taiwanisation policy, weighing its effectiveness, Beijing's reaction, and the problems and prospects of pursuing this policy.
Explores the application of constructivist theory to international relations. The text examines the relevance of constructivism for empirical research, focusing on some of the key issues of contemporary international politics: ethnic and national identity; gender; and political economy.
The Taiwan Voter examines the critical role ethnic and national identities play in politics, utilizing the case of Taiwan. Although elections there often raise international tensions, and have led to military demonstrations by China, no scholarly books have examined how Taiwan’s voters make electoral choices in a dangerous environment. Critiquing the conventional interpretation of politics as an ideological battle between liberals and conservatives, The Taiwan Voter demonstrates in Taiwan the party system and voters’ responses are shaped by one powerful determinant of national identity—the China factor. Taiwan’s electoral politics draws international scholarly interest because of the prominent role of ethnic and national identification. While in most countries the many tangled strands of competing identities are daunting for scholarly analysis, in Taiwan the cleavages are powerful and limited in number, so the logic of interrelationships among issues, partisanship, and identity are particularly clear. The Taiwan Voter unites experts to investigate the ways in which social identities, policy views, and partisan preferences intersect and influence each other. These novel findings have wide applicability to other countries, and will be of interest to a broad range of social scientists interested in identity politics.
Hao Zhidong has provided essential background on the types of thinking that could create a unified island-mainland polity. Do the politicians in Beijing and Taipei want one enough to make the symbolic sacrifices that would be needed to bring their citizens peace with prosperity? The thinkers whom Hao analyzes in this book can show them ways to do this---Lynn White, Princeron University A tour de force survey of the dilemmas and possibilities facing intellectuals and policy makers in the Chinese-speaking world when dealing with Taiwan as a problem of Chinese nationalism.---Christopher R. Hughes, London School of Economics and Political Science A sane, thoughtful and thoroughly grounded study of what intellectuals are doing---and could do---to mediate the contentious patriotism in both Mainland China and Taiwan. Hao brings the sensibilities of a native to a rigorous comparative sociological analysis of the states and the intellectuals involved and what it would take to resolve this key relationship.---Timothy Check, University of British Bolumbia This volume makes a significant contribution to understanding the complexities of the development of nationalisms and divided nations, identity politics, and the roles of the state and intellectuals, not only across the Taiwan Strait, but also around the world. Professor Hao Zhidong's proposed solution to a unified cross-Strait polity is extremely thoughtful and stimulating and deserves serious attention from all parties concerned.---Timothy Ka Ying Wong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong This is one of the few books that argues for a feasible compromise solution to the political conflict across the Taiwan Strait that still troubles greater China. The author elaborates on the factors both enabling and constraining the formation of a hybrid of federation and confederation. In a unique way he deals with the role of the state and intellectuals (organic, professional, and critical) as well as their interaction in shaping national identities. The important questions raised are: Can China become a true world leader? Will Taiwan be a key player in China's transformation? The book should be of interest to students in political science, sociology, and history, as well as policy-makers and businesspeople who are concerned about the development of cross-Strait relations.
