Spring 2003 T Th 10:10-11:55 Willis 211

POSC 232 Taiwan: Political and Economic Change Ambassador Burton Levin

Willis 406 Office Hours: T Th 3:15-4:30

A Japanese colony for fifty years and under America’s protective wing for a subsequent fifty plus years, Taiwan has evolved from poverty and totalitarianism into a prosperous and substantially democratic society. Taiwan’s transformation has taken place in the context of the island’s uncertain political status. Historically and culturally Chinese, the vagaries of Chinese civil conflict and of the Cold War brought about Taiwan’s separation from mainland China some fifty years ago. Against China’s unwavering insistence on Taiwan’s eventual restoration to the mainland, most of Taiwan’s population wish to preserve the island’s separate status for the foreseeable future; a vocal and politically influential minority advocate formal independence for Taiwan. In the midst of this, the United States periodically proclaims fealty to the principle of one China, but combines this with warnings to China about the need to settle Taiwan’s future peacefully.

The Taiwan issue has been a major irritant in U.S.-China relations, periodically bringing the two close to conflict. In recent years, Taiwan’s substantial and growing economic ties with a more open and prosperous China has created a new dynamic.

The peace of the region and the well-being of Taiwan, China, and the United States depends on whether the three actors deal prudently and wisely with this complex issue. This course will examine the background and the present state of play of the Taiwan “issue” with emphasis on Taiwan’s political, social, and economic transformation. We shall seek insight as to whether wisdom and prudence will prevail or whether disaster awaits.

Requirements:

Mid-term examination                                       30%

Attendance and participation in class discussions           30%

End of term research paper – 10 pages             40%

Texts

Edmonds & Goldstein (editors), Taiwan in the Twentieth Century: A Retrospective View (Cambridge University Press).

John F. Cooper, Taiwan: National-State or Province (Westview Press, 3rd edition).

Dickson and Chao (editors), Assessing the Lee Teng-hui Legacy in Taiwan’s Politics (M.E. Sharpe).

Reading Assignments

April 8              Introduction: Physical Setting and Historical Background

                        Cooper, Taiwan: Nation-State or Province, pp. 1-29.

                        Edmonds & Goldstein, Taiwan in the Twentieth Century, pp. 1-18.

April 10            Under Japanese Rule

                        Cooper, pp. 29-34.

                        Edmonds & Goldstein, pp. 37-48.

                        Rubenstein, Taiwan, a New History, pp. 201-48.

April 15            Restored to China

                        Cooper, pp. 32-44

                        Edmonds & Goldstein, pp. 19-31

                        Rubenstein, pp. 275-303

April 17            The American Embrace

Tucker, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States, pp. 26-51, 62-78, 94-106, 111-124.

April 22            From Rags to Riches

                        Edmonds & Goldstein, pp. 31-36, 48-60

                        Cooper, pp. 127-153

Dickson & Chao (eds.), Assessing the Lee Teng-hui Legacy in Taiwan’s Politics, pp. 91-106

April 24            Mid-term Exam

April 29            Political Transformation

                        Cooper, pp. 91-123

                        Edmonds & Goldstein, pp. 102-129

Tien (editor), Taiwan’s Electoral Politics and Democratic Transition, Foreword & pp. 3-23

May 1              Culture and Society

                        Cooper, pp. 53-86

                        Edmonds & Goldstein, pp. 61-82, 83-101

May 6              The Contemporary Political Scene

                        Dickson and Chao, pp. 1-89, 130-147

May 8              The Troublesome Triangle: U.S.-China-Taiwan

                        Dickson & Chao, pp. 204-84