Taiwan''s National Security - A Research of International Relations Theory under the Constructivism Viewpoint

• Main Authors: Din-gwo Yeh, 葉定國
• Other Authors: Samuel C.Y. Ku
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/97324703727450936289

博士 === 國立中山大學 === 中山學術研究所 === 92 === This thesis tries to argue the important influence of culture and identity in national security studies, especially about Taiwan’s security. In my viewpoint, culture and identity have become two powerful elements in security studies. In the Post-Cold War era, material factors are no longer the only base of national security. At the same time, the culture clash has become another potential factor that influences the national and international security. The 911 event offers the best example. Meanwhile, the Taiwan security environment is undergoing a great change. The military competition tendency between Taiwan and Mainland China becomes more and more dangerous. It seems that the elements of culture and norms haven’t been taken into consider by Taiwan authorities upon how these elements could affect Taiwan’s security. In this thesis, the viewpoint of constructivism on international relations theory has been chosen to survey how culture and identity factors influence Taiwan’s security, and I try to figure out the influence of culture and identity in security research of international relations. Three main points of conclusion could be made: 1. Culture and identity have become important factors of national security. At the same time, the scholars of mainstream international theory (like neo-realism and neo-liberalism) have paid more attention to culture and identity research. 2. It is very important to combine cultural and material factors in national security research. An effective cultural strategy could improve the function of national security policy. 3. Taiwan administration has to think over the culture and identity factors’influences upon Taiwan security. Although theses factors don’t construct an immediate and clear threat, but in the future, theses factors may become a dangerous threat of national security. In the long run, they could even destroy the political power.