Hsueh, Chao-Yung (1996) An analysis of the security of the Republic of China on Taiwan. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Until the publication of 1992 Nien Kuo-fang Pao-kao Shu (1992 National Defence
Report, Republic of China) by the Ministry of National Defence, and Kuo-fang Waichiao
Pai-pi Shu (White Paper on National Defence and Diplomacy) by the Institute
for National Policy Research in 1992, there was no single text or collection of readings,
written from a ROC perspective or addressing issues of ROC's concern, which was
available for people interested in national security. This dissertation is intended to fill
that gap by broadening the theoretical and empirical evaluation of Taiwan's national
security to encompass military, political and economic factors. The primary objective
of this study is to develop an in-depth understanding of the ROC's approach to
national security through an examination both of the dynamics of the numerous
security threats confronting Taiwan and of the measures instituted to preserve and
enhance national security. To accomplish this the study is divided into six chapters.
Chapter 1 will provide a conceptual framework for the analysis of national security.
Discussions focus on: the goal of national security; the sources and nature of threats
to national security; and the measures to preserve and enhance national security.
Chapter 2 considers the military dimensions of Taiwan's security. The following
questions will be asked: Under what conditions might the PRC attack Taiwan? Is the
PRC capable of gaining control of Taiwan by force? What are the most likely military
options to be employed by the PRC should it decide to attack Taiwan? How capable
is the ROC of defending itself? And what defence options are available for Taiwan?
Chapter 3 examines the impact of the Taiwan independence movement (TIM) on
Taiwan's political stability and national security. It centres on the following questions:
What are the motives for the pursuit of Taiwan independence? What are both the
ROC's and the PRC's attitudes towards the TIM? Will "self-determination" be
applicable to Taiwan? And what will be the likely impact of TIM on Taiwan's
security? Chapter 4 considers the economic dimension of security. GATT is used as
a case study, and the implications of membership for the government and the economy
of Taiwan are examined. As with any initiative, many questions have been raised.
Because of Taiwan's excessive dependence on exports, its economic success depends
in no small way on its ability to keep open its avenues of trade with the outside world.
Cutting off those avenues could threaten both Taiwan's economic success and national
security. Since survival is essential to Taiwan, in addition to the pursuit of economic
growth and development, an independent war capability and sufficient forces are
required for safeguarding Taiwan's security. In order to reach this goal, military
modernisation is the only option. Thus, Chapter 5 will try to answer the following
questions: What are the motives driving Taiwan's accelerated military modernisation?
Will Taiwan be able to break through Peking's blockade and procure the weaponry
needed for self-defence? Will the economy of Taiwan be able to continuously sustain
such huge defence expenditures? Will the armed forces be able to recruit and retain
an adequate number of skilled military personnel for the advanced and sophisticated
weapons procured? And what will be the potential impacts of cross-Strait arms race
on Taiwan Strait stability? In the final Chapter 6 some concluding remarks on the
preceding Chapters are drawn. Taiwan should: continue its policy of cautious
rapprochement with the PRC; make every effort to prevent any further deterioration
in the military balance in the Taiwan Strait; use its economic success as a diplomatic
tool to strengthen its relations with countries around the world.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JZ International relations
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	National security -- Taiwan, Taiwan -- Military relations
Official Date:	September 1996
Dates:	Date Event September 1996 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Politics and International Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Ferdinand, Peter
Sponsors:	China. Guo fang bu [Ministry of National Defence]
Extent:	xii, 305 leaves
Language:	eng

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