Taiwan: Manipulation of Ideology and Struggle for Identity chronicles the turbulent relationship between Taiwan and China. This collection of essays aims to provide a critical analysis of the discourses surrounding the identity of Taiwan, its relationship with China, and global debates about Taiwan's situation. Each chapter explores a unique aspect of Taiwan's situation, fundamentally exploring how identity is framed in not only Taiwanese ideology, but in relation to the rest of the world. Focusing on how language is a means to maintaining a discourse of control, Taiwan: Manipulation of Ideology and Struggle for Identity delves into how Taiwan is determining its own sense of identity and language in the 21st century.

This book targets researchers and students in discourse analysis, Taiwan studies, Chinese studies, and other subjects in social sciences and political science, as well as intellectuals in the public sphere all over the globe who are interested in the Taiwan issue.

About the Author

Chris Shei was educated in Taiwan and studied at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh, UK, before 2000. He then worked at Swansea University, UK, from 2003 until the present. He teaches and researches in linguistics and translation and also edits books and online publications across the broad spectrum of Chinese studies, including Chinese politics and governance, Chinese sociology, Chinese history and cultural studies, and so on. He is the General Editor for three Routledge book series: Routledge Studies in Chinese Discourse Analysis, Routledge Studies in Chinese Translation, and Routledge Studies in Chinese Language Teaching (with Der-lin Chao).

Reviews

"Chris Shei's edited volume, Taiwan: Manipulation of Ideology and Struggle for Identity, collects 10 papers that address the ambiguities and potentials of Taiwan's identity from different perspectives. ... these chapters present well the complex nature of Taiwan's identity which entangles many different issues such as political ideology (sovereignty and political autonomy), economic benefits (e.g. the business benefits of the Chinese market), and cultural recognition ('us' vs. 'them'). ... I particularly enjoyed how every chapter incorporates the temporal dimension into its discussion and acknowledges that identity is fluid and dependent upon political changes. ... the chapters open up further opportunities for research and possible policy-related discussions."

Yao-Tai Li, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Book Information
ISBN 9781138485860
Author Chris Shei
Format Paperback
Page Count 206
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 331g