Direct Presidential Elections Forge a 'Community of Common Destiny' in Taiwan, Yet Divisions in National Identity Persist

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This is a special report commemorating the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's direct presidential elections. Scholars point out that since the first election in 1996, successive elections have cultivated a sense of a 'community of common destiny' among the people of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, strengthening Taiwanese consciousness. This is a key achievement of Taiwan's bloodless democratic transition. However, the report also delves into the challenges that Taiwanese society still faces, including a divided national identity, conflicting historical memories such as views on WWII, and divergent policy lines among political elites on issues like national defense. Citing scholars like Chen Shih-min, Hsieh Hua-yuan, and Su Tzu-yun, the article analyzes the impact of democratization on generational identity and concludes that bridging internal divisions and consolidating democracy are crucial current tasks for Taiwan.

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