Re-Examining the Relationship between the Cross-Strait Interflow and Taiwan``s National Identity Preference

Abstract

This article tests Gellner’s theory that, once a closed society has been globalized and therefore has initiated contact with the outside world, relationship then becomes the distinction of “you” and “me.” While this perspective is applied to analyze the national identity trend in Taiwan, one can assume that the contact frequency between Taiwan and China might have an impact on people’s national identity preference in Taiwan. Accordingly, two variables, (1) the frequency of visiting in China and (2) investing in China, will be adopted to examine the above assumption. Although some results of the analysis in this paper reflect the theory assumption and some do not, an updated survey for further clarification of the relation between the dynamics of globalization and its impact on Taiwan’s national identity preference is urgently needed for future research.