Taiwan's Struggle: Voices of the Taiwanese

by Shyu-Tu Lee (Editor), Jack Williams (Editor)

This comprehensive book explores contemporary Taiwan from the perspective of the Taiwanese themselves. In a unique set of original essays, leading Taiwanese figures consider the country’s history, politics, society, economy, identity, and future prospects. The volume provides a forum for a diversity of local voices, who are rarely heard in the power struggle between China and the United States over Taiwan’s future. Whether it will be absorbed by China, continue in its current limbo as an unrecognized state, or seek outright independence and national sovereignty remains an open question. Reflecting the deep ethnic and political differences that are essential to understanding Taiwan today, this work provides a nuanced introduction to its role in international politics.

Contributions Andrew C. Chang, Chang Chang-yi David, Pochih Chen, Chen Yi-shen, Chi Guo-chung, Strong C. Chuang, Frank S. T. Hsiao, Jolan Hsieh, Joseph C. C. Kuo, Lee Shiao-feng, Shyu-tu Lee, Lee Teng-hui, Marie Lin, Jay Tsu-yi Loo, Lu Hsiu-lien Annette, Peng Ming-min, George Sung, Michael M. Tsai, Tsay Ting-kuei (Aquia), Tu Kuo-ch’ing, Jack F. Williams, Wong Ming-hsien, Wu Rong-i, Wu Rwei-ren, and C. Eugene Yeh.

Genres: History

316 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Peter A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of 22 essays, divided into four major sections, is a contribution to understanding a clear perspective of Taiwanese during the first decade of the 21st century.

This collection’s intent is clear in the book’s Introduction. “The Voices of the Taiwanese in this book are the voices of those who are fighting for national sovereignty and protecting hard-earned democracy.” For readers who know little about Taiwan, this book will provide context to that statement. I also believe that the contributors are trying to make a statement for the voice of the Taiwanese in their own self-determination of their future. When handed over to Japan in 1895, the Taiwanese had no voice. At the end of World War II, Japan was forced to give up claim to Taiwan and the Republic of China was to administer it, and the Taiwanese had no voice again. At that time, there was a growing desire by the Taiwanese to engage in self-rule. That desire ended abruptly on in 1947.

So, when will the Taiwanese have a voice in their future? This book provides background, perspectives and current challenges, the largest being the force (carrot and stick) of the People’s Republic of China.

The book’s four sections are:
• Society and Identity, that cover topics of “Taiwan’s history, society, and identity,” in particular how Taiwan is culturally, historically, politically, and socially distinct from the People’s Republic of China, which has never ruled Taiwan.
• International Status, discussing Taiwan’s legal and international status, and how it should be perceived, as a “nation state, de facto nation, rump state, pariah state, renegade province.”
• International Relations, focuses on Taiwan’s relation with China, with several authors provided pointed critique of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) which was a milestone of the Ma Ying-jeou administration, bringing Taiwan more closely into the economic sphere of China.
• Economy, Technology, and Environment, one article each, on each of these topics.

The individual articles are approximately 10 to 12 pages long, well written, and full of references. Politically, they are neutral to leaning against the Kuomintang (KMT) party and its near lock on Taiwanese development since Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan from mainland China in 1949.

The authors are distinguished, leading academic or political leaders, including Lee Teng-hui, the first freely elected President of Taiwan (Republic of China); Peng Ming-min, a key figure opposing the KMT and a renown scholar on Taiwan’s legal status; Lu Hsiu-lien Annette, the first female Vice President, first non-KMT Vice President, and a leader of the early feminist movement in Taiwan; and Jay Tsu-yi Loo, who wrote under the name Li Thian-hok to give an early perspective from a Taiwanese of the Chiang regime, and who was a co-founder of the Formosans Free Formosa (3F) the earliest organization devoted to Taiwan’s independence in the United States.

However, given the book’s 2014 publication date, it is disappointing that of the 21 contributors and two editors, only three are female: Lu Hsiu-lien Annette mentioned above; Jolan Hsieh, who wrote the article “Development of Human Rights Consciousness in Taiwan;” and Marie Lin, who summarized the genetic composition of the Taiwanese people.

All the articles are worth reading to provide various perspectives. I note that the three articles on the Economy, Technology, and Environment gave concise overviews of the history in Taiwan of each of those topics–I found extremely useful background for the research I am doing, in particular on Technology and the Environment.


FB: An interesting and provocative set of perspectives, giving voice to Taiwanese who are concerned about their future sovereignty, protecting their hard-earned democracy, and above all keeping their ability to choose their own future.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Mostly voices from the prominent Taiwanese political figures (not from the regular people)

- Taiwan's identify is often overshadowed by the mainland. Due to the Taiwanese history that is often ignored, Taiwan's identity is complicated and can't sum up to one single thing. While in modern history, KMT has taken over the island of Taiwan, the ROC Han people still isn't the complete image of Taiwan. In fact, the Taiwanese Han people assimilated more into Taiwanese culture that is today (perhaps this important fact, ignored by the Mainland Chinese, will trigger the next world war)