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“It Reminds Me Not to Trust China” The Influence of Foreign Conflicts on Taiwanese National Identity

Handberg, Asta Klosterskov (2024) COSM40 20241
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Taiwanese identity building and the approach to cross strait relations among young Taiwanese adults. The study builds on eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with young Taiwanese adults between the age of 25-35. It utilizes constructivist theory of identity building and survey data from nationwide surveys on identity in Taiwan to emphasize the findings made in the interviews. The findings of the study suggest that there is a correlation between the geographically distant conflicts and a growing independent Taiwanese identity. The conclusions made from the interview analysis and the triangulation of the findings with... (More)
This study investigates the influence of the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Taiwanese identity building and the approach to cross strait relations among young Taiwanese adults. The study builds on eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with young Taiwanese adults between the age of 25-35. It utilizes constructivist theory of identity building and survey data from nationwide surveys on identity in Taiwan to emphasize the findings made in the interviews. The findings of the study suggest that there is a correlation between the geographically distant conflicts and a growing independent Taiwanese identity. The conclusions made from the interview analysis and the triangulation of the findings with the survey data are then discussed to seek an answer to the question of what the future of cross-strait relations might hold. By arguing that the geographically distant events play an observable role in shaping national identity and the Taiwanese approach to China this study then proceeds to argue that constructivist theory in international relation provides a valuable approach to understanding developments within the field. (Less)
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author
Handberg, Asta Klosterskov
supervisor
organization
course
COSM40 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Cross-strait relations, constructivism, identity, Taiwan, China, international relations
language
English
id
9176932
date added to LUP
2024-10-22 13:14:13
date last changed
2024-10-22 13:14:13
@misc{9176932,
  abstract     = {{This study investigates the influence of the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Taiwanese identity building and the approach to cross strait relations among young Taiwanese adults. The study builds on eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with young Taiwanese adults between the age of 25-35. It utilizes constructivist theory of identity building and survey data from nationwide surveys on identity in Taiwan to emphasize the findings made in the interviews. The findings of the study suggest that there is a correlation between the geographically distant conflicts and a growing independent Taiwanese identity. The conclusions made from the interview analysis and the triangulation of the findings with the survey data are then discussed to seek an answer to the question of what the future of cross-strait relations might hold. By arguing that the geographically distant events play an observable role in shaping national identity and the Taiwanese approach to China this study then proceeds to argue that constructivist theory in international relation provides a valuable approach to understanding developments within the field.}},
  author       = {{Handberg, Asta Klosterskov}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“It Reminds Me Not to Trust China” The Influence of Foreign Conflicts on Taiwanese National Identity}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}