Review of States, Conflict, and Cooperation - Essay Example

Journal Article Review - International Relations: s, Conflict and Cooperation Introduction The article chosen for review on s, Conflict and Co-operation is Jacobsen, L. 2005, ‘A Greater Chinese Union’, The Washington Quarterly, vol.28, no.3, pp.27-39. Article Review Tensions between China and Taiwan remain a possible flash point in the Far East and hindering China from taking a more significant role in the world arena. The article reviews the changing perspectives in both the countries, since the emergence of China from its self-imposed cocoon, provides a possible solution to resolve the conflicting positions and argues in favour of the solution and the requirement for China and Taiwan to look at such solutions purposefully. In the current scenario, the Chinese attempts are to maintain status quo, denying Taiwan any scope for any form of sovereignty its clout in the world stage. Such a status quo does not behove for a peaceful resolution of the issue of Taiwanese sovereignty or the Chinese ‘One China Policy’. Changes that have occurred in China in the last two decades that have the potential to propel it to the forefront in world economics and politics create a platform for China to be more accommodative to a peaceful resolution to the irritants that exist between it and Taiwan. Recent events, like the historic visits of the Head of State of Taiwan to mainland China add to the potential for. It is against this backdrop that the author lays down a possible political solution to the vexing issues of China’s insistence on only one China and the autonomy aspirations of China. The political solution suggested by the author is the “Greater China Union”, wherein the one China policy of mainland China is accepted on one hand and some of the autonomy aspirations of Taiwan are conceded by China. By worldwide acceptance of the fait accompli of a single state of China, the pride of China remains unaffected, which would find acceptance to the more realistic politicians in Beijing and also derive the benefit of concessions on autonomy aspirations of Taiwan. The author also lays out the status of Taiwan within the “Greater China Union” concept. The “Greater China Concept” calls for an asymmetric relationship between that of the federated state (Taiwan) and a greater larger federate power (China). The asymmetry lies in Taiwan maintaining greater internal autonomy and giving up some of its international autonomy in the potential Union of the two federations. The first element in the potential union is the demilitarization of Taiwan under international guarantees on the similar lines of the Finland-Aland model, already a real precedent in existence. The Aland Islands are demilitarized under international guarantees and Finland looks after the foreign affairs of the Aland Islands. For all other purposes the Aland Islands are autonomous with their own flag and postal stamps and participation in international bodies like the Nordic Council. In a similar vein China would become responsible for the defence and foreign affairs and a major share of the foreign affairs of Taiwan. Requiring Taiwan to give up its defence and major part of its foreign affairs autonomy must be reciprocated in giving it something that it yearns for, but has never got and that is recognition at the level of the United Nations. Participation at the United Nations would be a strong incentive for Taiwan to give up some of its autonomy. This participation can be in the form of a special status. China has nothing to fear from this as it is a permanent member of the Security Council with veto rights. In fact its position at the United Nations gives it the power to push through any special status requirements for Taiwan to have representation at the United Nations. A similar asymmetrical representation for Taiwan other regional and international bodies then becomes a reality. The federacy concept of the “Greater Union of China” requires it to be a very loose federacy. Such examples exist in the history of China. In the seventeenth and eighteenth century regions within the Chinese Empire that could not be administered by China were loosely attached to the Chinese Empire. Such a loose federation gives China face, as its one China policy stands and at the same time Taiwan is free to retaining its political system and the way of life that its people have gotten used to (Jacobsen, 2005). Arguments of the Author The author argues that the present status quo wherein Taiwan remains a de facto independent state with its own military, but does not find its place in the international community does not augur well for peace in the region, as at some time Taiwan may try to seek this international recognition, which will bring about a response from China, leading to conflict. Hence there is the need for a solution in the current status of Taiwan. Presently China looks forward to the integration of Taiwan on the model of the Hong Kong integration with China. This is not workable with Taiwan. Yet there are indications from China that the integration need not necessarily be on the Hong Kong model, which may be replaceable with a more workable model. The author argues that the “Greater Union of China Model” fits the bill for a more acceptable model to both countries. Elements of the model give each side the essence of their positions. In the model suggested by the author Taiwan remains within the Chinese Federation, but gets to occupy greater international space with a large amount of autonomy. China would be amenable to a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue as a result of internal compulsions as well for improving its image in the world and occupying a more powerful place in international affairs. From the Taiwanese perspective the “Greater Union of China” removes the current uncertain state that exists in its society. It also remove the roadblocks created by China to all their efforts to gain and increase international space, resulting in their failure, since the inception of Taiwan (Jacobsen, 2005). Evaluation This is a well laid out paper on a possible solution to the current China – Taiwan impasse. The author may be making premises in some cases on the inclinations of China and Taiwan to the ‘Greater Union of China” concept, but these premises are not devoid of value. The only area of deficit in the paper is the author’s lack of calculations on the role that America could play in the possible reconciliation between China and Taiwan. Taiwan has been able to stand up to China only because of the support provided by America and the author has failed to address the attitude of America to the “Greater Union of China” solution, in that whether it would choose to play the role of maker or breaker of the solution, with the strong influence it holds over Taiwan and its not so close relationship with China. Literary References Jacobsen, L. 2005, ‘A Greater Chinese Union’, The Washington Quarterly, vol.28, no.3, pp.27-39. Read More