Taiwan Insight

Reflections on “Finding Meaning in Time and Space: Periodisation and Taiwanese-centric History”

4 April 2025 Yu-Chen

Written by Evan N. Dawley. The 2022 IJTS Open Access Award-winning paper, “Finding Meaning in Time and Space: Periodisation and Taiwanese-centric History,” challenges the conventional state-centric periodisation of Taiwan’s history by proposing a Taiwanese-centric framework that emphasises social transformation and identity formation. This article reflects on this broader trend in Taiwan-focused publications, its influence on the author’s future work, and the strength of this historical approach to understanding Taiwan on its own terms.

Ontological Entanglements: Indigenous Peoples and the Future of Taiwan

2 April 2025 Yu-Chen

Written by Scott E. Simon. This article introduces and reflects on the author’s two IJTS Open Access Award-winning papers. Drawing on decades of fieldwork and writing, the author contributes to Taiwan Studies by addressing how indigeneity integrates Indigenous peoples into the state project of post-martial law in Taiwan while emphasizing the need to recognize both Taiwan and its Indigenous peoples as having distinct ontological existence of their own. He calls for an ontological commitment to self-determination amid growing geopolitical precarity.

Taiwan Insight–IJTS Special Issue on ‘IJTS Open Access Awards’

31 March 2025 Yu-Chen

Written by Dr Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley. This article is an introduction to the Taiwan Insight–IJTS Special Issue on IJTS Open Access Awards, an initiative recognising high-quality Taiwan-focused research by granting open-access status to the selected articles. This Special Issue showcases six award-winning articles, highlighting their contribution across multiple disciplines beyond Taiwan Studies.

Taiwan’s Budget Cuts Limit Taiwanese Cultural Industries and its International Voice

28 March 2025 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Adrienne Wu and Yuchen Lee. The article discusses the impact of budget cuts to Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture. These cuts, including major reductions to media promotion, threaten Taiwan’s cultural industries, limit international outreach, and undermine the country’s ability to counter Beijing’s media influence.

Bridging Taiwan’s Blue-Green Divide: The Twentieth Anniversary of the 2005 Chen-Soong Meeting (扁宋會)

27 March 2025 Adrian Chiu

Written by Jasper Roctus. This article revisits a rare moment of bipartisanship from two decades ago when the DPP’s incumbent president Chen Shui-bian met with the PFP leader James Soong. The meeting offers insights into the possibilities and limits of political reconciliation in Taiwan in 2025. Even politically opposed figures can agree to embrace greater tolerance and goodwill.

Unpacking Taiwan’s 2025 Budget Cuts: Justifiable or Unjustifiable Reductions?

26 March 2025 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Wei-Jie Liao. This article questions the justification and methods of the unprecedented budget cuts passed by Taiwan’s opposition in 2025, noting flawed reasoning behind many proposals. The author advocates for the importance of transparency and accountability in the budget process for both the executive and legislative branches.

Heads-up to the KMT: Why the botched budgeting compilation and political impasse in the Legislative Yuan may be more costly for the Kuomintang?

25 March 2025 Adrian Chiu

Written by Dr Chieh-chi Hsieh. This article argues that the KMT will suffer more substantial political backlash than the TPP both in the short term and long term. The KMT legislators will face the nationwide recall motions, while the TPP will not lose any of their legislators. The KMT is also going to bear the electoral cost of the internalisation of the cross-Strait confrontation.

Who Are the Victims of Taiwan’s Cultural Budget Disputes? The Invisible Right to Cultural Participation for People with Disabilities

24 March 2025 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Hsin-Yi Chao. This article discusses cultural equity and the rights of persons with disabilities in Taiwan. It examines cultural equity subsidies since 2016, noting that despite overall budget growth, cultural equity funding remains unstable. The author highlights a case where budget cuts led to the suspension of sign language interpretation services and proposes policy recommendations to strengthen cultural equity implementation.

Lai Ching-te’s Leadership on the Line in Taiwan’s Budget Standoff

21 March 2025 Adrian Chiu

Written by Meng Kit Tang. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te faces a critical leadership test amid a budget standoff with an opposition-controlled legislature. Key defence cuts, including Taiwan’s submarine program, raise security concerns. Lai must balance strong leadership and negotiation to avoid political paralysis. Lessons from Taiwan’s political history offer guidance for effective crisis management.

Love is Impossible, but Justice will not Suffice.

20 March 2025 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Patricia Huang. This article analyses the budget cuts to Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, including the freezing of funds for museums and the possible impacts of under-budgeting. It explores the debate around subsidising culture and the concept of “Cultural Exception”. The author also examines alternative funding sources for culture, taking examples from other countries, such as lotteries and TV licensing fees.

Chen Shui-bian Redux?: The Struggle for Dominance of the Taiwanese Government System

19 March 2025 Adrian Chiu

Written by Brian Hioe. This article examines the similarities and differences of the partisan contestation in the Legislative Yuan between the recent crisis and the Chen Shui-bian era. It highlights the long-term structural weakness of the Pan-Blue camp that is working against its attempt to reshape Taiwan’s political system.

Cultural Ecology at Risk Due to Parliament’s Budget Cuts

18 March 2025 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Wu Chieh-Hsiang. This article discusses the potential consequences of budget cuts to Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture. It explores concerns about censorship and repression due to these cuts, as well as the impact on cultural institutions and freedom of expression.

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