Taiwan has had a long way of development of its national identity. It is possible to identify a number of stages: desinicization, Japanization and re-sinicization. Two regimes, colonial and the KMT rule had the most profound effect on development of the national identity in the country. Special attention should be paid to the two regimes and their impact on development of the state.
Notably, Taiwan nationals managed to gain certain power during (or rather at the end) of both regimes. Importantly, the two regimes had a different impact on further political development of the state and national identity of the people. For instance, colonial rule only partially empowered some local people whereas the KMT rule resulted in a complete political representation of local people from all parts of the state.
This can be regarded as a certain reaction to previously imposed administrative methods. This ‘nationalization’ enabled the Taiwanese to start developing their national identity and their integrated community. At this point, it is necessary to state that the process took place during a highly centralized one party-state rule. Therefore, the national development was largely affected by principles and the vision of the party.
Thus, Taiwanese people had to build their state after years of the rule of the Chinese administration that was quite loose; the years of Japanese rule that imposed certain regulations for the colony to follow, highly centralized rule of the Nationalist party. It is necessary to note that these influences still persist in the country. More so, after the elections of 2000, the Taiwanese have a chance to develop their national identity without the need to adjust it to political needs of one party.
However, this development will still be influenced by the Chinese nationalism, which will find its way through media (as Chinese media dominate in the region) as well as business ties. Lots of Chinese immigrants are often eager to use their ways and the Taiwanese entrepreneurs accept such rules of the play. Besides, many pf such approaches and ‘rules’ have already proved to be effective and there is no need in creating new ones.
It is necessary to note that the article unveils some peculiarities of development of the national identity in Taiwan. The impact of two regimes is impossible to overestimate. The modern country still holds some traits of the two regimes. Importantly, alienation from power of locals as well as centralized power in the one party state made the Taiwanese more conscious about their identity. The imposed regulations and conventions made people pay more attention to their national values and this is the basis of the modern Taiwanese society. The norms once imposed have been reconsidered and adjusted to the new reality.
In conclusion, it is necessary to stress that Taiwanese people should be more cautious and persistent when developing their national identity. This is why it is important for Taiwanese people to understand peculiarities of the two regimes in Taiwan. The 20th century provides answers to numerous questions concerning different ways of development of the national identity.
Clearly, Taiwanese people should continue to develop their national identity and resist the influences from the outside. To be more precise, the country can employ effective strategies and approaches utilized in the neighboring countries. However, it is essential to view each of these approaches critically and make sure that it can fit into the paradigm of the newly developed society.