The Role of Public Opinion in Cross Straits Decision Making

Cross Strait policy-making has more to do with local politics than international politics. In Taiwan’s open democracy as well as China’s more centralized polity, public opinion plays an important role when making policy.  Professor Wu discusses how public opinion affects the interaction between China and Taiwan. He introduces three theories commonly used to study and discuss Cross Strait relations. The “Strategic Triangle Theory” frames the issue as a three-way relationship between the United States, Mainland China and Taiwan.  The “Integration Theory” assumes that increased economic cooperation and integration would lead to full political integration.  The “Vote Maximizing Theory” analyzes the impact election cycles and changes in popular opinion have on the approaches both sides take regarding Cross Strait interaction.