Student mobilization in Taiwan: Civil society and its discontents

Asian Survey

Volumn 40, Issue 1, 1999, Pages 986-1008

  Wright, Teresa ^a  

^a CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

CIVIL SOCIETY; POPULAR PROTEST; STUDENT;

TAIWAN;

EID: 0033501231     PISSN: 00044687     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1525/as.1999.39.6.01p00392     Document Type: Article

References (69)

1. Deng Piyun, Bashi niandai: Taiwan xueyunshi (The eighties: Taiwan student movement history) (Taipei: Taiwan Yanjiu Jijinhui, 1990), p. 4.
2. The islands formally were placed under Japanese jurisdiction following China's defeat in the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95. In 1953, the U.S. specifically identified the islands as falling under American jurisdiction. When the U.S. granted management of the islands to Japan in 1971, the dispute burst into the public discourse.
3. Chen Guuying, "The Reform Movement Among Intellectuals in Taiwan Since 1970," Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars 14:3 (July-September 1982), p. 35. The Investigation Bureau is a branch of the Ministry of Justice, which in turn falls under the supervision of the Executive Yuan.
4. For example, at National Cheng-Chi University the ostensibly pro-KMT Youth Work Group aided dangwai candidates in the combined legislative elections of 1978 (though the elections ultimately were canceled in the wake of Sino-American normalization). This aroused the school authorities' concern, and the group ultimately was forced to disband for one year. See Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 15.
5. Cheng Tun-Jen, "Democratizing the Quasi-Leninist Regime in Taiwan," World Politics 41:4 (July 1989), p. 486. The first election for supplementary seats was held in 1969.
6. Dr. Chen Bun-seng, a professor at an American university, was found dead on the NTU campus in 1981. In 1984, Chiang Nan, author of a critical biography on Chiang Ching-kuo, was killed by assassins in the U.S. Also in 1984, Chinese-American writer Henry Liu was murdered in San Francisco. In the latter case, the head of Taiwan's Defense Ministry Intelligence Bureau later was convicted of plotting Liu's death.
7. He Jinshan, Guan Hongzhi, Zhuang Lijia, and Guo Changqi, Taipei xueyun (Taipei student movement) (Taipei: Zhongguo Shibao Chubanshe, 1990), pp. 19, 22; and Xin xinwen (The reporter) (Taipei), February 23-29, 1992, p. 64.
8. He Jinshan, Guan Hongzhi, Zhuang Lijia, and Guo Changqi, Taipei xueyun (Taipei student movement) (Taipei: Zhongguo Shibao Chubanshe, 1990), pp. 19, 22; and Xin xinwen (The reporter) (Taipei), February 23-29, 1992, p. 64.
9. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 19, 23.
10. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida xuesheng 'ziyou zhiai' yundong jishi (National Taiwan University student "love of freedom" movement record) (Taipei: Nanfang, 1987), p. 39.
11. Xin xinwen, February 23-29, 1992, p. 64.
12. For a detailed analysis of this event, see Lai Twe-han, Ramon H. Myers, and Wei Wou, A Tragic Beginning: The Taiwan Uprising of February 28, 1947 (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1991).
13. Xin xinwen, February 23-29, 1992, p. 64. Allegedly, some student informers from NTU were called in and questioned about the incident, though nothing came of it. Liu was later told by his commanding officer in the military that Chiang Ching-kuo had obtained a list of the offending students but decided that they were too young to be arrested and punished.
14. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 24-25.
15. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, p. 39; Deng, p. 29.
16. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, p. 39; Deng, p. 29.
17. Xin xinwen, February 23-29, pp. 65-66. Liu relates that while in the army, he was informed that Chiang Ching-kuo had intervened to block their punishment, believing that the students were too young to be sanctioned. Nonetheless, Liu relates that for many years he remained afraid to speak of this event. Xin Xinwen, ibid., pp. 66.
18. Xin xinwen, February 23-29, pp. 65-66. Liu relates that while in the army, he was informed that Chiang Ching-kuo had intervened to block their punishment, believing that the students were too young to be sanctioned. Nonetheless, Liu relates that for many years he remained afraid to speak of this event. Xin Xinwen, ibid., pp. 66.
19. Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 33.
20. Ibid., pp. 34-35; and Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, p. 2.
21. Ibid., pp. 34-35; and Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, p. 2.
22. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 35, 47-48; and Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 4, 42-44. Lee's protest and expulsion received widespread coverage in Taiwan's domestic media (indeed, it was the topic of an hour-long news program on one of Taiwan's KMT-owned TV stations). In these reports, however, Lee was portrayed as a radical, politically motivated activist, who was supported by dangwai dissidents, and acting in blatant disregard of the legitimate academic decisions made by school administrators.
23. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 35, 47-48; and Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 4, 42-44. Lee's protest and expulsion received widespread coverage in Taiwan's domestic media (indeed, it was the topic of an hour-long news program on one of Taiwan's KMT-owned TV stations). In these reports, however, Lee was portrayed as a radical, politically motivated activist, who was supported by dangwai dissidents, and acting in blatant disregard of the legitimate academic decisions made by school administrators.
24. Most notably, at Fu-Jen University, National Political University, Central University, Tung-hai University, Cheng-gong University, Kao Medical School, and Cultural University. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 35-43.
25. These journals included National Political University's Yehuo (Wildfire); Chung-Hsing Fa-Shang University's Chunlei (Spring thunder); Central University's Nutao (Angry wave); Tung-Hai University's Dongchao (East tide); and the Taipei Medical Institute's Kangti (Antibody). See Yun Fan, ed., Xinshengdai de ziwo zhuixun (Self-searching for identity in the new generation) (Taipei: Taiwan Yanjiu Jijinhui, 1991), p. 315; and He, et al., Taipei xueyun, pp. 22-23.
26. These journals included National Political University's Yehuo (Wildfire); Chung-Hsing Fa-Shang University's Chunlei (Spring thunder); Central University's Nutao (Angry wave); Tung-Hai University's Dongchao (East tide); and the Taipei Medical Institute's Kangti (Antibody). See Yun Fan, ed., Xinshengdai de ziwo zhuixun (Self-searching for identity in the new generation) (Taipei: Taiwan Yanjiu Jijinhui, 1991), p. 315; and He, et al., Taipei xueyun, pp. 22-23.
27. For a detailed analysis of the Lukang protests, see James Reardon-Anderson, Pollution, Politics, and Foreign Investment in Taiwan: The Lukang Rebellion (Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. Sharpe, 1992).
28. Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 67; and Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, p. 5.
29. Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 67; and Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, p. 5.
30. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 6, 44-45. Though members of the other groups signed the statement, they nonetheless did so with some degree of trepidation. As one of these academic student group members related to the author, "We were young, and kind of afraid. At the time, the outcome was not clear, there was no guarantee regarding the risk. At the same time, though, we felt that we couldn't ignore the mistreatment of University News." Author interview, July 1998.
31. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 46-48; and Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 80.
32. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 46-48; and Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 80.
33. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 48-53; Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 80-83; and Fan Yun, ed., Xin sheng dai, pp. 388-89. On the makeup of the Love and Freedom group, see Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 83-85.
34. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 48-53; Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 80-83; and Fan Yun, ed., Xin sheng dai, pp. 388-89. On the makeup of the Love and Freedom group, see Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 83-85.
35. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 48-53; Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 80-83; and Fan Yun, ed., Xin sheng dai, pp. 388-89. On the makeup of the Love and Freedom group, see Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 83-85.
36. Ziyou Zhiai Editing Group, Taida, pp. 48-53; Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 80-83; and Fan Yun, ed., Xin sheng dai, pp. 388-89. On the makeup of the Love and Freedom group, see Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 83-85.
37. Ibid., pp. 96-98.
38. Ibid., pp. 98-99. Chen had been chosen to run after Love of Freedom's original candidate, Lin Zhi-hsiu, was barred from doing so as punishment for his involvement in the May 11 demonstration.
39. Liu's periodical was entitled Nanbei chuanyun (North-south newsletter). After his military service, Liu had joined the labor movement. At the same time, he contacted a number of underground student groups at various universities to organize Nanbei chuanyuan as a means to integrate newly matriculated student activists with other social movements. Zhang Chunhua, "Daxue dixia shetuan Nanbei chuanyun" (Underground university groups: North-south newsletter), Shibao xinwen zhoukan (Current news weekly), August 10, 1987, p. 64.
40. Zhang Chunhua, "Daxue dixia shetuan"; and Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 134-35.
41. Zhang Chunhua, "Daxue dixia shetuan"; and Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 134-35.
42. Ibid., pp. 146-47.
43. These institutions included Fu-Jen University, Ching-Hua University, Northern Medical School, Central University, Chung-Yuan University, Cheng-Gong University, Kao Medical School, and Chung-Hsing Fa-Shang University. In addition, by mid-1987 reform-oriented students had gained control of campus representative groups at National Political University and Tung-hai University. Ibid., pp. 157-59.
44. Ibid., p. 182; and He et al., Taipei xueyun, p. 23.
45. Ibid., p. 182; and He et al., Taipei xueyun, p. 23.
46. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 181, 183-84; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 316.
47. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 181, 183-84; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 316.
48. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 189, 203; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 316.
49. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 189, 203; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 316.
50. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 219-20; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 316.
51. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 219-20; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 316.
52. This series of demonstrations also is commonly referred to as Yebaihe Yundong, or the "Wild White Lily Movement," in reference to the icon created to symbolize the movement.
53. Zili wanbao (Independence evening news) (Taipei), March 14, 1990; Xin xinwen, March 26-April 1, 1990, p. 28.
54. Zili wanbao (Independence evening news) (Taipei), March 14, 1990; Xin xinwen, March 26-April 1, 1990, p. 28.
55. Deng, Basin niandai, p. 309; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, pp. 404, 406; and Xin xinwen, March 26-April 1, 1990, p. 22.
56. Deng, Basin niandai, p. 309; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, pp. 404, 406; and Xin xinwen, March 26-April 1, 1990, p. 22.
57. Deng, Basin niandai, p. 309; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, pp. 404, 406; and Xin xinwen, March 26-April 1, 1990, p. 22.
58. Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 311; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, pp. 407-08.
59. Deng, Bashi niandai, p. 311; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, pp. 407-08.
60. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 318-19; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 405.
61. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 318-19; and Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 405.
62. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 326-27; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 424; and Bashi niandai (The eighties) (monthly magazine), April 1990, p. 33. In the early months of 1990, nonmainstream leaders had backed an alternative ticket of powerful Taiwanese politician Lin Yang-kang for president and Chiang Ching-kuo's half-brother, Chiang Wei-kuo, for vice-president. By March 10, however, both Lin and Chiang had withdrawn their candidacies; as a result, on March 21 Lee Teng-hui and his vice-presidential candidate (Lee Yuen-tsu) ran formally unopposed.
63. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 326-27; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 424; and Bashi niandai (The eighties) (monthly magazine), April 1990, p. 33. In the early months of 1990, nonmainstream leaders had backed an alternative ticket of powerful Taiwanese politician Lin Yang-kang for president and Chiang Ching-kuo's half-brother, Chiang Wei-kuo, for vice-president. By March 10, however, both Lin and Chiang had withdrawn their candidacies; as a result, on March 21 Lee Teng-hui and his vice-presidential candidate (Lee Yuen-tsu) ran formally unopposed.
64. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 326-27; Fan Yun, ed., Taida, p. 424; and Bashi niandai (The eighties) (monthly magazine), April 1990, p. 33. In the early months of 1990, nonmainstream leaders had backed an alternative ticket of powerful Taiwanese politician Lin Yang-kang for president and Chiang Ching-kuo's half-brother, Chiang Wei-kuo, for vice-president. By March 10, however, both Lin and Chiang had withdrawn their candidacies; as a result, on March 21 Lee Teng-hui and his vice-presidential candidate (Lee Yuen-tsu) ran formally unopposed.
65. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 386-89; and Xin Xinwen, June 11-17, 1990, p. 82.
66. Deng, Bashi niandai, pp. 386-89; and Xin Xinwen, June 11-17, 1990, p. 82.
67. See, for example, Sidney Tarrow, Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics, 2nd ed. (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998), p. 71; and Guillermo O'Donnell and Philippe Schmitter, Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Tentative Conclusions About Uncertain Democracies (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986), p. 48.
68. See, for example, Sidney Tarrow, Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics, 2nd ed. (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998), p. 71; and Guillermo O'Donnell and Philippe Schmitter, Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Tentative Conclusions About Uncertain Democracies (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986), p. 48.
69. See, for example, Adam Przeworski, "The Games of Transition," in Scott Mainwaring, Guillermo O'Donnell, and J. Samuel Valenzuela, eds., Issues in Democratic Consolidation: The New South American Democracies in Comparative Perspective (Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1992).