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A Study On The Taiwan Issue: A Constructivist Perspective

Posted on:2005-01-12Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:L XueFull Text:PDF
GTID:2156360152467872Subject:International relations
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Taiwan issue, resulted from China's Civil War in 1940s, does matter when China is pursuing its peaceful rising. Current situation on Taiwan issue shows that Taiwan policies adopted by the Chinese government, which have been practiced for over two decades, have failed to meet their original designs. Thousands of people have been speaking out their opinions on the issue. In my point, those comments deviate from the target of the issue. Some domestic students gradually cast an eye at it with identity perspective. But the author holds the views that they are at most elementary constructivists.The common opinions are classified into four types to meet the following IR theory branches in general: realism, liberalism, ideologicalist and primary constructivism. The paradox between the type and fact is presented and/or the shortcoming of the sort is pointed out. The above analysis implies a need to the application of a new perspective.According to a proclamation from the Chinese government, I define Taiwan issue as a separated situation of the two sides of Taiwan Strait. After analyzing its evolution, I conclude that Taiwan issue means Taiwan's pursuit of being an independent country ("Taiwan Independence" or Tai Du) since the foundation of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on September 28,1986. Lee Teng-hui came to the power in 1988 and systematically promoted the process. The situation is worsening and seems to be endless unless Taiwan leaders put total sovereignty into their pockets.The emergence of Tai Du means a change of political identity of Taiwanese, i.e. a shift of the national identity from China to Taiwan. The political identity is rooted in cultural identity which is ethnic group identity. The formation of Taiwanese ethnic group identity germinated in the 1930s and 40s when Taiwan was a colony of Japan. Many factors, both internal and external, contributed to its development though Taiwan natives (Tai Wan Ren), which refer to people living there before 1945, served as the main active force. In 1986, all "branches" of Tai Du forces converged in Taiwan and the ethnic group identity started to give way to national identity. The process was finished in 1999 when Lee Teng-hui made out his "Two State" theory and DPP under Chen Shui-bian's leadership issued "the Resolution on Taiwan's Future".Nowadays in Taiwan, the green camp has prevailed over the blue camp. Tai Wan Ren dominate the politics while Wai Sheng Ren, which refer to those who settled down in Taiwan after 1945, are being marginalized.Taiwan issue is like a game in which Mainland China, Taiwan and the U.S are the major players. The separated situation may be regarded as an equilibrium and was acceptable for the three players. Tai Du as a force, however, is striving to break the equilibrium. Considering the fact that the U.S. agrees neither Mainland China reunifies Taiwan by force nor Taiwan becomes independent, Tai Wan Ren realizes that their new national identity (toward "Republic of Taiwan") not only shows "legitimacy" of being a state under "Westphalia state system" but also undermines the "moral foundation" of the U.S. disapproval of Taiwan's independence. Once Taiwan adds to its constitution an amendment in which a referendum may function as approval of Taiwan independence, then Mainland China will absolutely have no choice but to fire. Hence, China and the U.S. should cooperate to prevent Taiwan's desire to take the risk.Chinese government's Taiwan policies used to be mistaken. From now on, the Chinese government, besides keeping its military deterrence, should mainly focus on carrying out policies that will weaken Taiwanese's hostility toward the Mainland and cultivate their Chinese identity. It is a hard way but it will effect a permanent cure.There are two objectives in the thesis: a practical one for China's policies to Taiwan and the theoretical one for Constructivism. A constructivism perspective will help us catch the right core of Taiwan issue and hopefully consequent new measures w...
Keywords/Search Tags:Taiwan issue, "Taiwan Independence", ethnic group identity, constructivism
PDF Full Text Request
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