Cross-Strait relations beyond balancing-bandwagoning dichotomy

• Main Authors: Bilak, Pavlo, 畢雷克
• Other Authors: Liu, Fu-Kuo
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15596574143243023040

碩士 === 國立政治大學 === 臺灣研究英語碩士學位學程 === 97 === The thesis researches on the nature of the Taiwan’s mainland policy, particularly under the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou. The most important concern of the thesis is the problem of Taiwan’s response towards rising China. First, the balancing-bandwagoning concept of Stephen Walt is researched. Critique of the concept and alternative theories are also considered. Second, the balancing-bandwagoning hypothesis is applied towards the past and present of Taiwan’s mainland policy. The test of Walt’s hypothesis reveals its weaknesses and limitations as a research framework. Despite predictions of Walt, Taiwan doesn’t use pure balancing or pure bandwagoning in its approach towards China but rather applies mixed strategy containing elements of both balancing and bandwagoning. Taiwan’s mainland policy evolves and includes more and more elements of the bandwagoning preserving the essential opportunities for the balancing. This strategy can be called hedging. Third, the thesis develops the concept of hedging and researches on the nature of Taiwan’s hedging strategy. The current mainland policy of Taiwan is a combination of opportunity-seeking and risk-aversion. The changes and continuities in Taiwan’s mainland policy founded and the reasons for the transformation of the Taiwan’s mainland policy also established. The thesis also gives tentative predictions on the future of the Taiwan’s strategy towards rising China as well.