Publication of the “Vision, Prospects, Taiwan” Series

A History of Taiwan

This book, which is divided into 12 sections, provides an account of the main aspects of Taiwan’s historical development. It gives a clear picture of the different historical periods, and uses concise, easy-to-read text in conjunction with illustrations. The book aims to give people in Taiwan a better understanding of their own history and to establish a collective historical memory. A History of Taiwan aims to promote identification with Taiwan as a prelude to the establishment of a nation of the people and as a basis for cultural dialogue with the rest of the world.

A Geography of Taiwan

This book adopts a Taiwanese perspective to look at the geographic basis for viewing Taiwan as an independent entity. It also discusses the creation of the Taiwanese national character through a combination of unique geographical conditions and the interaction of the people and the land they live in.

The Theory and History of Taiwan National Identity

This book takes a penetrating look at how we can define Taiwan as a nation from the perspectives of history, international law and constitutional law.

Lee Teng-hui and the Democratization of Taiwan

This book sets out Lee Teng-hui’s blueprint for Taiwan as a nation and tells the moving story of the struggle of ordinary Taiwanese to cast off the yoke of authoritarianism.

Taiwanese Literature

First and foremost, this book defines the scope of Taiwanese literature and considers its relationship to Chinese, Japanese and world literature. Second, it introduces the earliest oral traditions of Taiwanese literature, including Aboriginal, native Min-nan and Hakka legends and folk songs. Third, it provides a history of classical Chinese literature and poetry written in Taiwan. Fourth, it provides an overview of the literature of the Japanese occupation period. Fifth, it looks at the predominantly Mandarin-Chinese literature produced subsequent to the arrival of the Chinese Nationalist Party (the KMT) in Taiwan. Then, from the 1950s, modern literature is presented in sections of 10 years each, up to the 1990s with the emergence of a modern literature dealing with many different themes and written from the perspectives of different ethnic groups. The final chapter deals with Taiwanese consciousness in Taiwanese literature and the prospects for Taiwanese literature’s development.

The Construction of Taiwan-centered Consciousness

Before we can create a “Taiwanese citizen” with a Taiwanese consciousness, we must first define Taiwanese consciousness. We must study it from the perspective of culture, literature and education, and consider the reasons for the loss of a Taiwan-centered consciousness in the past. This book discusses the relationship between Taiwanese consciousness and globalization, so that Taiwan can be seen as part of the international community.

Taiwanese Society

Taiwanese society bears the characteristics of an immigrant society, with wave after wave of immigrants from different places bringing their own cultures and religious beliefs to Taiwan. The Japanese called Taiwan a “repository of religions” for its diverse assortment of religious practices. Cultural differences and shifts in political power create tensions within society, so to ensure stability and peace in such a society, we require a spirit of democracy and a modern constitutional system, as well as a greater identification with the land. This book looks at Taiwanese society from the perspective of its psychology, its status as an immigrant society, its religions, its multiculturalism, and its legal and political institutions.

The Story of Taiwan

This book tells the story of Taiwan from its earliest Austronesian inhabitants in a chronological account up to the transition of power in 2000 to provide a basic framework of Taiwan’s history.
Taiwan Advocates is currently planning to release new titles, including The Excellence of Taiwan, The Story of Taiwan’s Modernization, The Music of Taiwan, The Collected Teaching Materials of the LeeTeng-huiSchool, The Spirit of Taiwan, The Beauty of Taiwan, and Collected Taiwanese Literature. These eight volumes will be released prior to July 2005.

Publishing the Taiwan Advocates Series

001 Becoming a Normal Country

Collected Papers from Taiwan Advocates’ Conferences on National PolicyThis collection looks at the three fundamental contemporary issues for which reform is urgently needed: legislative reform, revitalizing the economy and education reform. This collection contains in-depth discussions and farsighted policy suggestions

002 Taiwan Agenda for the 21st Century

Now in the 21st century, Taiwan faces the questions of how it seeks to define itself and how to achieve a consensus on national identity. Its plans for future development and breakthroughs on the international stage are issues that concern every Taiwanese. At this crucial juncture, former president Lee Teng-hui, who has established an international reputation as “Mr. Democracy,” has joined with scholars invited by Taiwan Advocates who share his concern for Taiwan’s future, to draw up a list of Taiwan’s goals for the 21st century. This book discusses these 10 goals as the basis for a blueprint to Taiwan’s development in the 21st century.

003 Hong Kong Under “One Country, Two Systems” – The Collected Papers from Taiwan Advocates’ International Symposium Hong Kong under “One Country, Two Systems”

On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule. On the same date six years later, 500,000 Hong Kong people took to the streets in a demonstration that was watched around the world. What changes had taken place in Taiwan during that same six-year period? How was Hong Kong to retain its freedom and prosperity under China’s authoritarian regime? These were questions that anyone concerned with Hong Kong affairs couldn’t help but ask. This book looks at changes in Hong Kong over those six years from a political, economic, social and cultural perspective. It is the most comprehensive and objective study of the current situation in Hong Kong published in Taiwan and is essential reading for anyone concerned with the territory’s future development.

004 Cross-Strait Relations and National Security – The Collected Papers of Taiwan Advocates’ International Symposium on Cross-Strait Relations and National Security

On Nov. 2, 1987, Taiwan’s government allowed family visits to China, officially opening the door to cross-strait exchanges. In the years since, the number and scope of cross-strait visits has increased to the point that they now affect all levels of society and daily life in Taiwan. What effect have these exchanges had on Taiwanese society? How have they affected Taiwanese people? This book provides a thorough examination and assessment of these exchanges by looking at the cross-strait relationship, economic exchanges, social exchanges, the national security repercussions of cross-strait exchanges and the use that China is making of these exchanges in its Taiwan strategy.

005 A Modern Perspective on Philosophy

(Translated from the Japanese) A Modern Perspective on Philosophy by Nishida Kitaro.
This volume is part of a trilogy by Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitaro, which discusses, among other issues, the author’s thoughts on sensory awakening and communal feeling theory.
Nishida Kitaro;s philosophy is not the conventional philosophy of the academy, for it analyzes both emotions and reason to combine the objective and the subjective. This book is strongly recommended by Lee Teng-hui, who urged Taiwan Advocates to publish a Chinese-language version as a primer for young readers.

006 Referendum and Constitutional Reengineering: Records of Forums hosted by Taiwan Advocates

This book is a record of how Taiwanese people in 2004, with the backing of Taiwan Advocates, pushed for referendums and constitutional reform despite considerable political turbulence in a further small step toward making Taiwan a normal country. This book serves as a historical witness to a key period in Taiwan and is a must read for anyone interested in Taiwan’spolitical future.

007 Threats and Challenges After the May 20 Presidential Election – A Record of Forums Hosted by Taiwan Advocates Following the Presidential Election

This book is a record of how the people of Taiwan maintained calm in the face of multiple threats from both inside and outside the country during and after the 2004 presidential election, and managed to peacefully uphold Taiwan’s constitutional democracy through this tumultuous period.