The Art of Address: A Daoist Analysis of the Inaugural Addresses of Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou Eric Schulz Mentors: Ed Hinck and Chris Owens Central Michigan University Political Science and Communication McNair Scholars Program

Taiwan’s 2008 Elections Ma Ying-jeou elected new president of Taiwan in 2008 Ma’s campaign focused on better relations with China Since elected, Ma has fostered cooperation with China and warmed relations Improvements are a change from the relations that existed during the administration of the previous president, Chen Shui-bian Above: Ma with the KMT flag

Cross-Strait Relationship: Chen vs. Ma Presidential inaugural addresses in Taiwan lay the groundwork for the new administration’s cross-Strait relationship with the PRC Key similarities and differences in the foreign policies of Chen Shui-bian (above left) and Ma Ying-jeou (above right) are found in their inaugural addresses “Political language is political reality” (Murray Edelman)

Chinese Civil War Civil War between Kuomintang (KMT) and Communist Party (CCP) Military Height of Civil War in 1949 as KMT forced to flee to Taiwan with 2 million followers China Taiwan

The Cross-Strait Dilemma China (above left) and Taiwan (above right) disagree about the status of Taiwan’s statehood The PRC believes there is “one China” and Taiwan is a part of the “greater Chinese” state Previous president, Chen Shui-bian, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lean toward independence New president, Mr. Ma, and the Kuomintang (KMT) support the status quo

Taiwan’s Foreign Policy Taiwan government a de facto independent, democratic system Presidents in Taiwan are very influential when it comes to cross-Strait relations and policy Before any major decision, the democratic government in Taiwan needs the support of the electorate  Ex referendum on UN bid (right: UN flag)

Research on Public Opinion (cont.) Foreign Policy Preference  Majority favor the status quo (SQ) and deciding the issue later  Taiwan’s population are rational actors, so both immediate independence and immediate reunification are unpopular

The Art of Address Inaugural addresses of Chen (2000) and Ma (2008) “Public discourse reflects the philosophical presumptions, as well as the structure, of the state in which it is found” (Campbell and Jamieson 2008) Classic Chinese and Daoist text, Sun-tzu’s Art of War, provides insight into Chinese principles of conflict and rhetoric  Knowledge  Strategy  Responsiveness Study uses hybrid methodology that is both Eastern-Western and Democratic-Daoist

Conclusions and Findings Chen’s address more closely resembles the generic style that Campbell and Jamieson have derived from U.S. inaugurals Ma’s address fulfills a Daoist interpretation of the inaugural address and follows many principles found within Sun-tzu’s Art of War Harmony benefits all actors—Decisions may result in greater outcomes if individuals adhere to the ideas and strategies found within Daoism Daoism and Art of War are useful tools in rhetorical analysis and foreign policy decision-making

Questions? The Art of Address: A Daoist Analysis of the Inaugural Addresses of Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou