Social Forces in the Re-Making of Cross-Strait Relations: Hegemony and Social Movements in Taiwan

This book examines the social and political struggles that shaped the political dynamics of Taiwan-China relations and cross-Strait rapprochement between 2008 and 2014,reinterpreting this process as a struggle over Taiwan's role in the global economy. It challenges received wisdoms regarding the rise and fall of the rapprochement, arguing that it was driven by capitalist conglomerates and that Taiwans social movements struggled to find a common vision.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate social and political dynamics that shaped the political landscape of Taiwan-China relations and the process of cross-Strait rapprochement between 2008 and 2014, adopting a critical political economy perspective. Through a meticulous analysis of primary sources and extensive interviews, the book reconstructs the historical, political, and socio-economic factors that paved the way for Taiwan's participation in the Sunflower Movement of 2014. It challenges prevailing narratives regarding the rise and fall of the rapprochement, arguing that it was primarily driven by capitalist conglomerates within Taiwan rather than political elites. Furthermore, the study reveals that Taiwans social movements during this period were characterized by diversity and struggled to find a common vision that could unite their critics of the rapprochement.

The insights offered by this book go beyond providing a deeper understanding of Taiwan's protest cycle between 2008 and 2014, as they also serve to recontextualize the political dynamics in post-Sunflower Taiwan. It appeals to students and scholars of Taiwan Studies, East Asian Politics, and Social Movement Studies, offering valuable perspectives on the complex interplay between economic interests, social movements, and political developments in the region.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032498003