Opinion | Sociological imagination and Taiwan reunification
By Augustus K. Yeung
"Americans have never exactly excelled understanding other societies, and a few Chinese bad guys in James Bond movies obviously won't shed the light we [Americans] need…We need to see our great 21st-century rival clearly, and too often we see only through a glass darkly, if at all." (Ross Douthat, "James Bond has no time for China." New York Times, October 18, 2021.)
Introduction
How do the Americans see the Chinese society, interprets it culture and get to know the people? From the quotation above, it is obvious that the perceptions the Americans have of China and its people are structured by the new media and entertainment culture, which present biased views with the Hollywood "Chinese bad guys" as typical examples.
The theoretical implication is that the Chinese as individuals and as a nation should first master the English language, learn to communicate in English fluently. Failing that would invite endless unpleasant misinterpretations.
From this short quotation, it is apparent that the "people" are biasedly fed ideas and conceptions about a culture in their society by the mass media and the entertainment industry, the Hollywood.
In our case, that is how the Americans get to "know" the Chinese, who are often portrayed as "backward", "ignorant" and "indiscrete". In short, we are of a second class of world citizen, not worthy of reuniting with Taiwan, a one-time American ally.
Opportunity Lost in the Last General Election
For a Chinese, especially a patriot, there is no greater joy than the rejuvenation of the nation, the dream of building a bridge, a rainbow across the Strait in the South China Sea—between our island in the sun Taiwan and China, the motherland, where life is good. And--after reunification--life in general is admiringly better, going best. How great!
That much requires some sociological imagination. A mind set meant for meeting the Taiwan reunification in a peaceful manner.
A dark history: There is no greater sadness and madness than the missing of an opportunity to fulfil this Chinese dream of a century, a beautiful dream that can be turned into a futuristic reality when we wake up.
Taking the loss of the last general election in Taiwan, seeing the former Mayor, a KMT member lost the Kaohsiung, a possible stronghold, which could have been strategically used by the mayor to make a bit for the next general election after he has consolidation of power and popularity there. Unfortunately, after his impeachment, he and his KMT party and, above all, the nation lost this golden opportunity. It is now a generally considered a case of an "opportunity lost", an opportunity that comes without loss of heavy human lives and of casualty—in the case of a bloody conflict between China, Goliath the giant and little David, representing the island—now under Tsai Ing-wen and in fear of being taken by force.
In comparison, there are talks, especially talks of election by the Kuomintang (KMT) and talks of taking the beautiful island by brute force, or employing advanced and coordinated military measures, which can only lead to one scary scenario after another, and wild imagination--which would be totally unproductive or completely destructive.
Contrast this sad scenario, give it an imaginative and optimal scenario, and the outcome or choice should be crystal clear. And this bright future of a nation, with the beautiful island paradise returned to the embrace of China, together with Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, within our lifetime.
The Concept of Loose Sociological Imagination
Consider sociological imagination: It is a case of the social scientist indulges in disciplined thinking, making creative endeavor, producing insights as opposed to the "technician" who lacks insight and creative thinking. In short, sociological imagination is thinking that procreate a scientific mind-set.
In our case it might very well produce a formula for the peaceful reconciliation and reunification of Taiwan.
China wows to work for national stability and peace, and that is good, according to newspaper reports. But politics should play no significant part in our reunification efforts:
"Love is in the air."
"From Taipei (to Beijing) with Love."
"I want to go shopping in Shanghai."
Sociological Imagination in Action in Taiwan-Unification
- While many things change, most of the time most things remain constant, including our fixated thinking, for example--going to war to "liberate" Taiwan…
- China's future is embedded in the present: Presently, if the two sides go to war, what will China's future be? How do we go about it? Say, if we can waive a lot of restrictions, including visa-free mobility from one mainland economic domain to our pristine island paradise, won't that be our version of "freedom of navigation"? A mockery of American pretexts.
- Focus on the score of the public good of economic cooperation between the two sides; who cares about self-destructive war-games, anyway?!
- Understanding how powerful it is not to have to be right, which is fixation.
Conclusion
Our present state of mind, of war or rivalry may hamper the good will of the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait.
Imagine a war-torn Taiwan: It is not worth reuniting; and a victorious Beijing is left begging our Taiwanese "compatriots" for forgiving--for centuries to come, for there will be unresolved mutual animosity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, anyway.
Had there been a war conducted, after the conflict would reflect the following feeling, "The Cross-Strait War should never have been fought!"
Imagine a creative case of Economic Domain where Chinese young adults go freely shopping in Shanghai--without having to apply for visas--returning to Taipei; or a young Chinese couple go sight-seeing or savouring gourmets in Gao-Sheung, returning to the Greater Bay Area, at the end of a long day after frolicking in 'Formosa', China's beautiful island paradise.
Imagine the above liberal ideas are to be turned into movies being shown on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, how much positive impact would be produced for the purpose of national peace and reconciliation?
Why wage a war that nobody wants?!
The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
Opinion | Washington and Taiwan: 'Friends until the end'?
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