時間的女兒

原文請見06年3-4月號Foreign Affairs期刊

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/2006/2.html





不管該位學者意見是否合於我們的認識

都因為被刊載在這樣的國際期刊上而有了相當程度的影響力

希望我的拋磚引玉能夠讓有識之士多多參與國際學術領域的討論

BTW

作者也回信了

他只淡淡地表示我跟他的認知有太大的差距:P





--------------寄給作者的信件內容(Many thanks to Kristin!)-------------------



Dear Professor. Ross:





My name is--------, a Taiwanese student. I read your article:” Taiwan’s Fading Independence Movement” in Foreign Affairs, March- April 2006. Your argument is quite persuasive, however, I would like to express some personal opinions regarding your article.







My experience of Taiwan’s independence movement conjures a different image. Your article seems to equate the Taiwanese desire for independence with the role of Taiwanese President, Chen Shui-bian and the DPP ruling party. Indeed, they all support the independence of Taiwan, but it is perhaps too far reaching to assume they are the driving force behind the movement. Taiwan’s pursuit for independence should be seen rather as a movement being pushed forward by the will of the people. Neither Chen nor his party can represent it totally or solely. In fact, it would be more proper to say that the political party and the politicians are just a tool the people employ.







Additionally, your commentary links the December 2005 defeat of the DPP with a fading independence movement, I find this to be an over simplification. Generalizations are not representative of reality. Not everyone who votes DPP is pro-independence nor are KMT voters against independence, and this holds particularly true for the elections at the local level. In Taiwan, the outcome of elections does not necessarily reflect the voters’ attitude for current policy. This is evidenced by the political move toward the middle, even by pro-China parties.







Furthermore, it seems to me that the statistics of the poll you used in the article, for instance, 90% of the Taiwanese population is against immediate independence, somehow neglect the most important element of the current situation: under the military intimidation of China, the right to speak out the true intention of Taiwanese people have been deprived. It would be more objective if you could consider the true premise behind the polls when you use all the statistics to manifest your hypothesis that Taiwan’s independence movement is fading.







As you mentioned at the end, the status quo is where the U.S. fundamental interest lies. I’m sure you would agree, the so-called “status quo” is actually an independent Taiwan, and it is also what most Taiwanese people claim for the moment. To assume that Taiwan’s independence movement has never won widespread domestic support, is perhaps too illusionary. There are many intricate elements I feel your commentary abandoned before drawing such a conclusion and that should be considered in order to have a comprehensive observation.







I’m not an expert of the field but I hope I have shed a personal Taiwanese insight into your views about my country and our independence movement. I myself am deeply interested in the subject and your opinions. In fact, I am writing my Master’s thesis on the U.S.-Taiwan-China relations, and I hope I have not offended you as I sincerely anticipate your next piece.







Kind regards, -------