Abstract
Reviews the literature on the status of Taiwan’s national identity since the Mar 2000 election of the island-state’s first opposition party president. Two dimensions of national identity are shared characteristics (language, culture, & ethnicity) & a shared interest in the fate of the whole. Although both dimensions are present in the Taiwanese case, there are two distinguishable ethnic groups: the benshengren (provincial natives) whose ancestors migrated from the mainland in or since the 17th century; & the waishengren (provincial outsiders) who sought refuge from the Chinese civil war of 1946-1949. Other research issues discussed include Taiwan’s lack of recognition from China; constraints that prevent independence as the Republic of Taiwan; the impact on national identity of a deeply divisive election; views of Taiwan as a non-Chinese national & cultural identity; & the role national identity plays in current political strategies. It is concluded that the issue of Taiwan’s national identity has been driven by contemporary political realities that both encourage further research & thwart efforts to arrive at conclusions.
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