National Affairs Forum

Our aim in starting the new regular feature "National Affairs Forum" is to engage in conceptual, creative, and for-ward-looking analysis and discussion of all sorts of important problems faced by our country in the course of development. At a time when the Republic of China is about to enter the ranks of the developed countries as it marches toward the 21st century with a firm innovative pace, we sincerely hope that this feature will be able to bring together the wisdom of many experts and scholars in contributing helpful suggestions for our country's future development. Most of the articles in this feature will be written on special invitation, with a few reprinted from other publications. At the same time, readers are welcome to submit articles of their own.

Establishing an Accurate Concept of Negotiating and Fostering Good Negotiators

The 1990's are an important turning point for the R.O.C. in the area of political reform, democratization, economic development, and foreign relations. Such a turn of events will decide the future of the R.O.C.

Such a change will naturally call for a reorganization of power. In view of this we need to depend more and more on various forms of negotiating. When assemblymen from various parties in the National Assembly come across different points of view, they need to negotiate. In the area of economic structure, since the workers seemed to have opened their eyes, their opinions may differ from those of their employers. As such, their labor unions will have to sit down and negotiate with their employers. Such negotiations may take place over and over again. In the area of trade, since our nation has become increasingly strong, various countries have increased pressure to open up the domestic market. Quite predictably, there has been an increase in trade negotiation meetings. However, the question that remains is, just how many people know how to negotiate? In other words, how many people have an accurate concept of what is needed to successfully enter negotiations?

When we think of the word "negotiate," most of us probably think of the skill of negotiating. Others may consider learning a second language or gaining some knowledge of law in order to prepare themselves. This is a misconception.

Therefore, the first step we need to take is to set forth an accurate concept of just what it means to negotiate. Practically, it does not mean to wage war. On the contrary, it means to come together and mutually solve a problem. In proper negotiations both parties should come out winners. This is often known as the "non zero sum." To yield is considered normal in the process of negotiating. It should not be viewed as a loss nor is it something to be humiliated over. If you take a closer look, you'll discover these concepts are closely related to the fundamentals of democracy. And now with the presence of so many negotiations taking place, there is the need to set forth the accurate concept.

Secondly, we should view the concept of negotiating in a serious manner. It's not a contest to see who can speak the fastest, nor the most eloquently. Instead, it's some thing which can be researched, the development of learning. Such should be made common practice. In this manner more scholars will participate.

The nurturing of talent and the advocating of concepts are interrelated. In order to face the turn of the century, we must begin to act now.

(Bih-rong Liu, associate professor of Foreign Affairs at Soochow University /tr. by Stephen Rabasco)

Looking Forward to a New Era For the Chinese People

Looking ahead to the 21st century, what sort of features can we expect our society to present?

Social change in the areas of technological and economic development is relatively easy to conjecture, so we can foresee that when the R.O.C. on Taiwan enters the 21st century, per capita income will surpass US$13,000, placing her in the ranks of the developed countries; that owing to the widespread use of computers, she will not only enter the era of the "information society," but people's life-styles and interrelationships will change as a result; and that the development of technology and medicine will not only improve people's material lives but also raise difficult ethical questions....

Although the fruits of economic development afford us the beautiful vista of a prosperous society, material life does not, after all, constitute the whole of human civilization. From the standpoint of cultural development, some people contemplate the present and future accumulation of scientific achievements with complacency, while others sigh with regret over the irrevocable disappearance of "the good old days." And historians such as Oswald Spengler and Arnold Toynbee believe that cultural change is periodic, proceeding according to a cycle of growth, apogee, and decline.

As we pause along the road of development to take a look ahead, in which direction should we proceed? Are we advancing toward a peak or gradually declining? Perhaps no one can provide a definite answer, but there are several development trends today that deserve our attention:

--In the aspect of cultural propagation, although the wholesale infusion of Western culture that has gone on for the past century still continues, Oriental culture is also beginning to display a new strength and influence. Not only is Oriental culture popular for items such as cuisine, dress, and decorations, but Oriental philosophy and thought has also received increased attention. The economic miracle of Asia's "four little dragons," for example, is often credited to the influence of the Confucian tradition.

--As to life philosophy, the balance between humanism and pragmatism has long swung from one side to the other, but despite the current orientation toward self-indulgent utilitarianism, mankind has also begun to pursue the expression of a humanist spirit, thirsting--be it in education, art, or even interpersonal relation-ships--for an ideal with mankind as basis, respecting the human subjective will.

--Ideologically, the two great blocs of East and West, communism and capitalism, totalitarianism and democracy, still stand in stark opposition. Nevertheless, many real changes are quietly taking place: capitalist countries are implementing social welfare systems to supplement the inequalities created by selfish competition, while communist nations, under the slogans of Marxist-Leninist dogma, are using capitalist methods to carry out economic reforms.

Just what do these trends and currents of development point to? Perhaps they are telling us that cultural development should avoid going to extremes, because the reaction to one extreme must be a turn to the other. We have seen how the overinflation of material civilization can bring about a decline and dislocation of spiritual civilization, and how the closed-mindedness of dogma further stimulates man's quest for life and freedom. It is hardly surprising that Chinese people strive for all-inclusiveness and even-handedness.

Following the way of chung-yung, or the principle of the golden mean, the Republic of China is marching along the road toward the 21st century. Prosperity in economic development is foreseeable, but in addition to that, greater creativity and independence must be encouraged in education, greater receptivity to different ideas must be cultivated in thinking, and in culture, we must break free of following the obsolete trails of the West and search for a new direction in which to restore national consciousness. Only in this way lies the new era so eagerly awaited for the Chinese people.

(Yi-rong Young, associate professor of Department of Social Education at National Taiwan Normal University /tr. by Peter Eberly)

Creating a New Image For Taiwan's Products

During the remarkable progress of the R.O.C. over the past thirty years, especially in the area of trade, a huge sum of foreign exchange reserves has been created which, at present, approaches US$75 billion. At the same time the accumulation of reserves has resulted in the appreciation of the N.T. dollar, leaving those involved in export to face insurmountable pressure. For many, it's a matter of sink or swim. Such is the result of having gone all out to earn foreign exchange, a result completely unforeseen at the time.

Most experts agree that from now on Taiwan's policy on exports should "stress quality, not quantity." However, along with more effective research and development and the creation of new products, makers also need to improve their "product image." The latter has been the biggest weak point for Taiwan-made products on the international market.

"Product image" is actually a form of stereotyping. It's a psychological perception associated with the attitude of production. In spite of the fact that many of Taiwan's products are equivalent to many famous brand-name products, "Made in Taiwan" has not yet become a label to be proud of on the international market.

Twenty-five years ago Japan faced the same dilemma. However, after a long period of endless hard work and an organized system of production, the image of Japanese-made products has risen above those of the West. Through this we can learn something--by exerting an effort we can achieve anything. Japan's success story should be an example to us as well as an encouragement as we aim to improve the image of Taiwan's products.

How can we go about accomplishing this? First, we need to decide upon the image we would like to set forth. For example, German products are known for their durability, Japanese products for their creative designs, and so forth. Which route should our nation take?

According to research, a nation's products have a deep impact on the impression it gives to others. Take, for example, a Japanese-made camera or car, or an American-made IBM computer or airplane.

Second, we should utilize the display windows of those department stores abroad with the best reputations, such as those in New York, Tokyo or Paris, in which to display our products. The main objective is not to make a profit but rather to establish a position in the market.

The last item to be stressed here is that our top priority must be high-quality products and top-rate service. Otherwise, all our effort will be in vain. Even worse, it may bring about an adverse effect!

(Paul Hsu, dean of College of Management at National Taiwan University /tr. by Stephen Rabasco)