Today, mainland China makes up a large part of the videogame industry, with successful titles not only catering the Chinese gaming audience, the largest in the world, but also gaining international...Show moreToday, mainland China makes up a large part of the videogame industry, with successful titles not only catering the Chinese gaming audience, the largest in the world, but also gaining international popularity (Yong and Downing 2008, 515–29). However, former research has shown that inequal gender dynamics in the videogame industry lead to a predominantly male environment, that portrays women in sexist stereotypes (Vysotsky and Allaway 2018, 101). Chinese videogames are no exception to this; in a South China Morning Post (SCMP) interview with a female game concept artist based in Chengdu, there was a strong belief there is “a tacit agreement that female characters in games are supposed to be ‘pretty’ and ‘sexy’ (Shen 2020).” For instance, when designing a new character, the instructions read: “It needs to give people an urge to masturbate (Shen 2020).” This research aims to find the link between gender representations in videogames and traditional Chinese cultural values, comparing and analysing mainland Chinese, Taiwanese, and Chinese diaspora games, which are Chinese games made in a different environment than the homeland. The choice for analysing both mainland Chinese, Taiwanese and diaspora games, based on the respective differences between both societies which makes a comparison possible, requires an explanation that has historical roots.Show less
This thesis studies the factors that have influenced Taiwanese cyberse- curity governance, starting with the conception of cybersecurity. The theo- retical frameworks of securitization and threat...Show moreThis thesis studies the factors that have influenced Taiwanese cyberse- curity governance, starting with the conception of cybersecurity. The theo- retical frameworks of securitization and threat politics are employed for this purpose. A collection of 66 policy papers, government reports, and speeches by Taiwanese officials on cybersecurity was compiled for this purpose. Dis- course analysis was done through several rounds of coding, leading to the creation of two frames that represent Taiwanese policy makers’ conception of cybersecurity: the Digital Development Frame and the National Defense Frame. The Digital Development Frame views cybersecurity as an oppor- tunity for innovation and growth in Taiwan, with cybersecurity serving as its foundation. The National Defense Frame emphasizes the security threat posed by cyberattacks to Taiwanese society. These two frameworks high- light how the conception of cybersecurity by policy makers change which factors are relevant, and what policies are implemented. Relevant external factors were found to be: the threat landscape, local political and economic context, and the positioning of the state towards the private sector.Show less
Taiwan is often identified as a gender equality champion. Yet, for years its lack of a #MeToo movement defied Lee and Murdie’s (2020) theory that #MeToo is more likely to spread to countries where...Show moreTaiwan is often identified as a gender equality champion. Yet, for years its lack of a #MeToo movement defied Lee and Murdie’s (2020) theory that #MeToo is more likely to spread to countries where civil and political rights are better protected. This left academia and feminist activism puzzled until May 2023, when Taiwan surprised its observers again by suddenly developing a strong #MeToo wave. This thesis argues that the peculiar development arc of Taiwan’s #MeToo suggests a theoretical gap about the movement as a whole, and attempts to fill it by researching the empirical question of what shapes Taiwanese sexual violence survivors’ ability to Speak Out. The thesis answers these questions by employing an anti-carceral feminist take on the Politics of Speaking Out framework to conduct a thematic analysis of online archives. It concludes that Taiwan’s #MeToo movement simultaneously showcases #MeToo’s strengths, confirming its positive contribution towards gender justice, as well as its structural weaknesses. Findings indicate that survivors Speak Out when they perceive the opening of an opportunity window for accessing justice. #MeToo’s Speaking Out tactic, unlike the carceral state’s legal tools, can provide that window. However, the carceralist contexts it emerges in quickly co-opt the movement, limiting the extent of the cultural change it can generate.Show less
This thesis will study the influence of different colonial ruling by Japan on the modernising of prison systems in its colonies. The period of enlightenment saw the change from flogging based...Show moreThis thesis will study the influence of different colonial ruling by Japan on the modernising of prison systems in its colonies. The period of enlightenment saw the change from flogging based punishment to penal servitude. As imperial power started to venture around the world, modern thought was able to reach as far as East Asia and thus Japan. After a victory over China, it came in the possession of Taiwan, its first colony and not much later Korea too became part of the Japanese empire. Both of the newly acquired colonies were put through modernising reforms on prisons constructing new modern buildings and adjusting the treatment to be more humane and implementing prison labour but were not the same in the end. This thesis argues that there are multiple reasons for the differences such as the national unity of Korea that caused resistance and subsequently military oppression. Although Taiwan had a less modernised prison system, they also had less problems within the prisons as resistance was less frequent. This would mean that the way of ruling did not in so far influence the modernisation of prisons, as it did the treatment of prisoners.Show less
During the 1620s the VOC established a presence on the island of Taiwan, then called Formosa. Research on this colony has mostly focussed on the later decades and its dramatic loss at the hand of a...Show moreDuring the 1620s the VOC established a presence on the island of Taiwan, then called Formosa. Research on this colony has mostly focussed on the later decades and its dramatic loss at the hand of a Chinese warlord in 1662. This thesis examines those early years through the construction of Fort Zeelandia, the colony’s administrative capital. This was a slow process, in places equally as dramatic as the colony’s downfall, which shows us that the advantages that allegedly fuelled European expansion could often be ill-suited to the colonial environment.Show less
This thesis examines disinformation in Taiwan during the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 local elections. It argues that the Chinese government employs disinformation as a form of...Show moreThis thesis examines disinformation in Taiwan during the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 local elections. It argues that the Chinese government employs disinformation as a form of psychological warfare. Therefore, the thesis seeks to answer: “How is disinformation that is disseminated through content farms in Taiwan as a form of psychological warfare developing since the Taiwanese presidential election in 2020?” Using the 'content farm' Mission as a case study, the thesis finds there is a consistent bias against the Democratic People's Party (DPP) and favourable towards the Kuomintang (KMT), but (1) a slight decrease in terms of ‘lure’ and (2) a slight rise in the positive attention given to the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). The thesis thus highlights the continuous development of China's state-led disinformation campaigns and its implications for democratic elections worldwide.Show less
This thesis uses a comparative analysis to determine whether the underlying strategies that China employs in their propaganda efforts in regards to Taiwan during the modern age of social media and...Show moreThis thesis uses a comparative analysis to determine whether the underlying strategies that China employs in their propaganda efforts in regards to Taiwan during the modern age of social media and the internet are the same as the strategies that were employed in this field in the era between the defeat of the KMT in China and the invention of social media.Show less
This study explores the historical transformation and contemporary perception of the Taoyuan Shrine in Taiwan, shedding light on the complex interplay between heritage preservation and visitor...Show moreThis study explores the historical transformation and contemporary perception of the Taoyuan Shrine in Taiwan, shedding light on the complex interplay between heritage preservation and visitor experience. Beginning with the Dutch conquest in 1624, Taiwan's colonial history has been shaped by foreign powers, with Japanese rule (1895-1945) leaving a lasting impact. Amidst the transition from Shinto Shrines to Martyrs' Shrines under the martial regime of the Kuomintang (1949-1987), the Taoyuan Shrine stands as an exception, touted for retaining its original appearance. However, questions arise regarding the authenticity of this preservation effort, particularly within the context of a Cultural Park offering commodified experiences. Examining the intertwined notions of heritage preservation and visitor perception, this study seeks to address the question: To what extent does the Taoyuan Shrine remain authentic in the aftermath of structural changes and how is this authenticity perceived by contemporary visitors? This investigation spans two distinct research areas – an exploration of built environment authenticity through qualitative analysis and fieldwork, and an examination of visitor perceptions via a survey informed by key academic discussions. By delving into these dimensions, this study contributes to heritage studies and the discourse on authenticity.Show less
The thesis investigates the potential causes behind the differing responses given by South Korea and Taiwan in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster using a qualitative...Show moreThe thesis investigates the potential causes behind the differing responses given by South Korea and Taiwan in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster using a qualitative thick description analysis. This work contributes to the field of soft power by conducting a case study: this field is often criticized for its lack of empirical evidence. This topic is important as it posits a causal relationship between Japanese soft power and the differing levels of responses given, showing that soft power has visible and tangible effects. The research question was as follows: what explains the differences in Taiwanese and South Korean support following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami? Based on the research it was found that many factors, namely nationalism, historical relations, and the individual country’s soft power resources as mediating factors to Japan’s soft power.Show less
This thesis is an exploratory research that analysis Japan’s current Taiwan position. This was done by examining four themes: 1. The evolving place of Taiwan in Japan’s security policy and...Show moreThis thesis is an exploratory research that analysis Japan’s current Taiwan position. This was done by examining four themes: 1. The evolving place of Taiwan in Japan’s security policy and political discourse. 2. The development of Japan’s security policy and the turn towards a more sovereign security policy of Japan. 3. The development and strengthening of the U.S.-Japan alliance. And, 4. the introduction of the FOIP strategy. These themes were extracted from the literature. However, the literature in this field is quickly outdated. Besides no author in the literature did examine the four themes together with regard to Japan’s Taiwan position. Research was done through text analysis and comparative analysis. All themes show that Japan increasingly promotes values like: democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and a capitalist economy, which it shares with the U.S. and Taiwan. Although, by now, Japan more openly supports Taiwan as a democracy, no costly signalling towards Taiwan was done since no explicit cost was attached to the signals. Instead, I argued that Japan did send a costly signal to the U.S. by explicitly stating that the alliance is unwavering and that Japan and the U.S. together are increasingly promoting their shared (universal) values. The value politics that Japan and the U.S. envision can be seen in a broader spectrum of countries and alliances promoting values. China, for example, promotes its own values. Values that clash with the shared values that the U.S. and Japan promote. Since value’s legitimize actions to protect those value and two different value systems vie for their influence on Taiwan and both see the other as an infringement on their own value system, the Taiwan issue is cause for serious concern.Show less
Inheemse literatuur in Taiwan is van recente datum. Inheemse schrijvers staan voor de dubbele uitdaging hun literaire productie zowel vanuit het orale naar het geschreven register te "vertalen" als...Show moreInheemse literatuur in Taiwan is van recente datum. Inheemse schrijvers staan voor de dubbele uitdaging hun literaire productie zowel vanuit het orale naar het geschreven register te "vertalen" als zich uit te drukken in de taal van de dominante groep: het Mandarijn. Verder wordt de veronderstelling dat literatuur van minderheidsgroepen bijdraagt aan hun emancipatie aan een kritische beschouwing onderworpen door een vergelijking te maken met de literatuur van andere minderheidsgroepen, zoals de LGBTQ+ gemeenschap en de "sappeldichters" op het Chinese vasteland.Show less
Taiwan’s flourishing economy together with its values, such as human rights and democracy, increase Taiwan’s international visibility and question Taiwan’s inability to join the UN, especially...Show moreTaiwan’s flourishing economy together with its values, such as human rights and democracy, increase Taiwan’s international visibility and question Taiwan’s inability to join the UN, especially since they share the same values. The PRC’s open disapproval of Taiwan’s independence as well as its power and influence hinders the UN from accepting Taiwan as a new member state. This thesis aims to research how the dynamics between the US and China within the structure of the UN affect Taiwan’s bid to become an internationally recognised state as well as how Taiwan tries to influence this process from outside the UN. Qualitative research together with a historical case study analysis and a conducted interview display that both the US and China use soft power as political strategies to gain more influence within the UN for their objectives, such as the support or opposition of Taiwan’s entry into the international community. Similarly, Taiwan also uses soft power to gain more allies and to increase its eligibility to enter the UN. Moreover, this thesis finds that divergent understandings of human rights divide the UN regarding their position on Taiwan’s official status and affect the decision-making process regarding Taiwan’s independence.Show less
Since the People’s Republic of China was created in 1949, one of its main objectives has been the reunification of all its territory. In recent years, China has focussed increasingly on the...Show moreSince the People’s Republic of China was created in 1949, one of its main objectives has been the reunification of all its territory. In recent years, China has focussed increasingly on the securitisation of the Hong Kong independence movement and Taiwanese independence to achieve this unification. This thesis conducts a comparative case study, using securitisation theory, where China’s security strategy on Hong Kong and Taiwan is compared. It analyses the influence of colonial periods over Hong Kong and Taiwan’s current domestic politics, focusing on the years 1841 to 1997. Furthermore, it studies China’s security approach to Hong Kong and Taiwan in the 21st century and how this approach has influenced local responses in Hong Kong and Taiwan. This research is conducted through a critical discourse analysis, focussing on policy documents and speeches by Chinese officials. It argues that the colonial history of Hong Kong and Taiwan, the perceived and legitimate legal authority of China, the successfulness of securitisation of the local independence movements, and the response of both citizens and local politics all influence China’s security strategy towards Hong Kong and Taiwan all influence China’s security strategy.Show less
