The formulation of Taiwan's external policy: a study of the "three links" issue.

• Main Author: Wen, Nelson Chin Chun.
• Other Authors: Chung, Chien Peng
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Political science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/14302
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The formulation of Taiwan's Mainland policy has always been a complex and delicate one, especially the "Three Links" issue. This author seeks to use system-centered approach to examine the need for Taiwanese leaders to initiate the "Three Links" with China. However, it is a dilemma for the Taiwan authorities to implement the "Three Links" as its success is a "double edged sword". On one hand, it strengthens the survival of Taiwan in the international system with the growing importance of globalisation and interdependence. On the other hand, it can also undermine the legitimacy of the current Taiwanese government. The society-oriented approach is thus adopted to explain the stagnation in its implementation. This approach reviews the divergence of Taiwan's domestic factors that constrains its "Three Links" policy, especially, after the complete democratization since the late 1980s. Examining with theoretical and empirical deduction, this author argues that assuming that if there is no military intervention by the PLA and Taiwan's economy remains healthy, these positive indicators does not necessary facilitate a smooth implementation of the "Three Links" issue. In fact this issue may not be implemented that easily and will probably remain stagnant for at least the next few years.