When Taiwan Identifiers Embrace the ROC: The Complexity of State Identification in Taiwan

Abstract

It remains unknown if theoretical perspectives concerning party identification can be usefully applied to the formation or consolidation of state identification. Taiwan presents a unique case for exploring the nature of state identification, not only because of the ambiguity concerning its official name, but because its citizens have been struggling with a hard choice between Chinese identification, an identification based on cultural heritage that is considered to be the root of its legitimacy, and an emerging national identification with an independent Taiwan which is beginning to consolidate. Theoretical work is needed to explain the nature and the volatility of state identification in the light of conventional wisdom about party identification. This study concentrates on clarifying the relationships between party identification. national/ethnic identification, and state identification. It will show how these concepts are interwoven and how the idea of a ”stale identification crisis” originated. It will also shed light on studies about conflict process and political psychology.