Taiwanese Nationalism" Discourse Of Democratic Progressive Party

The thesis discusses "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse of DPP. I will introduce its main content, summarize its characteristics and analyze its impacts on Taiwan’s politics, society, economics and cross-strait relations. Besides, I try to put forward the countermeasures which mainland China should take.First, I summarize the previous study on "Taiwanese Nationalism", which includes the research on the topic of mainland scholars, Taiwan scholars as well as foreign scholars. The research of mainland scholars should be improved and deepened while the research of Taiwan scholars and foreign scholars is far more abundant. However, they did not comment "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse of DPP.Second, I introduce the classic theories of Western nationalism briefly, including the works of Anderson and others. Their discussions about "nation" and "nationalism" involve some important connotations, such as region, culture, psychological identity, language, shared memories and self-determination. DPP takes them as tools to raise a series of appeals, such as "referendum" and "Taiwan Independence". Thus, DPP has its own "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse.Then, I briefly introduce native "Taiwanese Nationalism", taking the discussions of Shi Ming, Wang Yude, Shi Zhengfeng and others for example. They believe that the region, historical process, psychological and language of Taiwan people are common. So it is sufficient to constitute "Taiwan nation" and "Taiwanese" should establish their own "nation".On the basis, "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse of DPP is divided into three stages--before 2000, between 2000 and 2008 and after 2008. In 1986, after the establishment of the party, it advocated "self-determination" and "Taiwan Independence". After 2000, DPP and Chen Shui-bian pursued "Taiwan Independence" in politics, implemented the policies of "de-Sinicization" in culture and refused the exchanges of mails, trade, air and shipping between mainland and Taiwan in economic affairs. As the ruling party, it practiced "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse not only through language, but also through actions. In May 2008, DPP lost power and later its Chairman Tsai Ing-wen published "ten years platform". It is a new development of DPP’s "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse.After that, I summarize the characteristics of DPP’s "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse which are the strategy of highlighting "Taiwan Independence", final directivity to "Taiwan nation", the hypocrisy of grabbing political interests and the future uncertainty of "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse. In addition, "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse of DPP also brings very negative impacts. It not only misleads national identity of Taiwan people, splits Taiwan society, deteriorates cross-strait relations, but also hinders its development.Against "Taiwanese Nationalism" discourse of DPP, I suggest that mainland China should strive to promote cross-strait cultural exchanges, the public exchanges, economic cooperation and political trust in order to strengthen Chinese national identity of Taiwan people. What’s more, mainland China should deepen reform and develop the socialist democracy. They are the countermeasures which mainland China should take.