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台湾独立問題の社会構成主義的分析

A Constructivist Analysis of the Taiwan Independence Issue

Japanese (日本語)

Intercultural Studies Review

28

1-25

神戸大学大学院国際文化学研究科

2015-03-20

2015-03-11

The Taiwan independence issue has still been one of the most challenging problems for China. This paper tries to analyze the issue from the viewpoints of different international relations theories, such as liberalism, realism and constructivism. Unlike the assumptions of the liberal theories, the deepening economic cooperation between China and Taiwan cannot promote the political integration between the two sides. On the other hand, the theory of balance of power, which is the central thesis of the realist approach, can partly explain the current situation of the Taiwan Strait because of the strategic balance among China, Taiwan and the U.S. In contrast to these two approaches, the analysis of identities, that is important in constructivist approach, may fully explain why the Taiwanese people make the option of maintaining the current situation and why the issue has been continuing for so long a time since 1940s. Through a comparative analysis by three approaches of the international relations theories, this paper argues that the realist interpretation of the Taiwan issue can be supplemented by a constructivist interpretation. From the viewpoint of the constructivist approach, while Taiwan is always under the strong political influence of the United States and China, Taiwanese politicians will never give in on the issue of the Taiwan independence because the Taiwan identity has predominance in Taiwan society. In dealing with the relations between China and Taiwan, Taiwan's leaders have to be very prudent and the political negotiations between the two sides come to a deadlock.

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