Taiwan's Difficulties as a Pluralistic Center

In the eighties Taiwan has apparently become the focus of much attention, not only in economics, but also in culture and politics, where rapid changes are under way.

Taiwan's economic miracle has brought unprecedented prosperity to the R.O.C. since 1911. In the rapid economic growth of the entire nation, regardless of class, the government and the people have shared the same determination of seeking after continuous breakthroughs. Economic liberalization and internationalization have become unstoppable trends. The "economic fence" between Taiwan and the mainland and the trade obstacles with the East European communist bloc have been unable to resist these trends. At the same time, the strong defense works of Taiwan's market are also unable to protect its industrial and agricultural sectors from being affected.

Since 1949, politics on Taiwan has seen new inconsistencies as it develops in an historical "wrapper" and in changing times. A democratic government has been the goal which China has been long searching for in recent years, but after the Chinese Communists' abrupt rise, the value of this democratic theory which is applicable everywhere has been muddled and its role confused under the fighting among the political parties of China. The so-called "New Democracy" of the Chinese Communists is arbitrary and its character dictatorial. Its development on the mainland after 1949 continually testifies to this fact. In the past forty years, from revolutionary democracy to democratic revolution, Taiwan has created the blueprint for a new China. Not only has it created a new era of hope along both sides of the Taiwan Strait, but also it has given rise to the goal of democratic modernization both at home and abroad.

If we take a look from a cultural point of view, we can see that Taiwan is filled with even more variety. Traditional Chinese culture clashes with Western culture; the original culture on the mainland and the local culture of Taiwan meet here. The influence of foreign culture which the young people are infected with is once again different from that of the previous generation. Taiwan obviously doesn't have any places where cultural fences are set up. There are those who emphasize the creative side and call for total change, the quicker the better. Then there are those who are more conservative and place major concerns on traditional history. On account of this, the conflicting development of culture is not only expressed in the different viewpoints between technological culture and human culture, but is also expressed in the concept of different values between traditional culture and modern culture.

Taiwan is seeking after breakthroughs in all areas of politics, economics, and culture. This is in fact also a reflection of the idea in Chinese history that China was the center of the world. When China was at its flourishing point, its influence stretching far and wide, its development of economy and politics has been based on culture. So in the early period of Hu and Han conflicts, economic and political considerations were not so important as cultural considerations. In the conflicts between modern China and the West, economic considerations and cultural considerations have been regarded indiscriminately. Now Taiwan is in a period of intense change; the economy is thriving and "political fever" is common. Each is centered on its own development. Each has its heroes. In a modern society where we are particular about equal development, this is something rather dangerous. Economics, politics, and culture actually belong to a complete entity and rely upon one another. Conflicts effect their mutual development. It's the same now as it was then. We have to have this type of under-standing before we can correct the defects, get along with one another, and develop together.