Tian Ma

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Khemraj, Tarron

Keywords

Taiwan, Economic Integration, China, National Identity

Area of Concentration

Economics

Abstract

There have been two trends growing simultaneously across the Taiwan Strait since the beginning of the Cross-Strait economic integration. On the one hand there is a rising Taiwanese national identity, and on the other hand there are growing economic ties between the two sides. According to integration theories, closer economic ties would lead to closer political ties. Would that be the case between China and Taiwan? This thesis explores the question of whether the Cross-Strait economic integration will lead to political integration between China and Taiwan. A detailed analysis is conducted, using both integration and international trade theories as theoretical explanations. Descriptive statistics help to evaluate the impact of ongoing Cross-Strait economic integration on the political development of China and Taiwan. In order to fully understand the contexts of Cross-Strait integration, this thesis also provides a historical overview of Cross-Strait relations and difficulties they currently face. The aim of this thesis is not only to determine whether the two sides will become politically integrated, but attempt to provide some insights on their political and economic future.

Download

Share

COinS