Analytical Framework

1.4.1. Identity as a Variable

Using the framework put forth by Abdelal, Herrera, Johnston and McDermott in Identity as a Variable I will conduct a longitudinal comparative case study of identity changes in Taiwan during Japanese Colonial Rule.

In Identity as a Variable, the authors offer an analytical framework for using identity as a variable. The paper defines collective identity as a social category that varies around two dimensions, content and contestation. Content describes the meaning of a collective identity. Contestation refers to the degree of agreement of the content within the group; does everyone agree on the content, and does the content apply on everyone in the group.The content can be divided into four non-mutually-exclusive types:

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constitutive norms, social purposes, relational comparisons, and cognitive models. (Abdelal et al. 2005)

Constitutive Norms

Constitutive norms refer to the formal and informal rules, norms, and practices that define group membership. Further the constitutive norms are the practices that lead others to recognize a group as having a separate identity. The constitutive norms identify the proper and expected behavior, as well defining the improper behavior of the members.

The norms create group recognition and a sense of belonging to the group. Similarly there is a sense of obligation of the members to move according to the rules of the group. Thus the norms can be unwritten in form of social norms, or they can be codified in terms of legal obligations and laws. According to Katzenstein, the Constitutive norms are the very action that leads others to recognize an actor as having a particular identity. “The norms do not determine the preference of the group; rather, they define the boundaries and distinctive practices of a group”. (Abdelal et al.2005:4)

The internalization of norms can be manifested in three ways. First, the norms bias choice, meaning that some behaviors are consciously ruled out or regarded as inappropriate. Second, the norms may reduce the level of consciousness in choice, meaning the options are barely considered, ruled completely out of hand, or decided on the basis “common sense”. Third, the norms may be so deeply internalized that they are taken for granted and acted upon completely unconsciously. (Abdelal et al. 2005) Social purpose

Social purpose refers to the idea that groups might attach certain goals to their identity. The purposive content is similar to the concept of what the group wants depends on who they are. Thus identity can lead actors within the group to define collective interests, goals or preferences. Social norms set a number of obligations for the members to make the goals of the identity more likely. Nationalism and national identities can give claims to the cultivation of identity as a purpose in itself or the creation of a state that is coterminous with the nation and autonomous from a relationally defined other. (Abdelal et al. 2005: 6)

5 Relational Comparisons

The content of the identity is relevant by the extent of which it is composed of comparisons and references of which it is distinguished. An identity might be defined by what it is not, in other words as the understanding of oneself in relationship to others.

“Group identities in short are not personal or psychological, they are fundamentally social and relational, defined by the actors interaction with and relationship to others; therefore, identities may be contingent dependent on the actors with others and place within an institutional context”. To summarize the identity need the relational context of a different identity in order to categorize themselves as a collective unit. (Abdelal et al. 2005: 7) Cognitive models

Cognitive models may be described as the worldview of the members. In the broadest sense the cognitive models is the framework that allows members to make sense of social, political and economic conditions. It is related to understanding how the world works, and describing the reality of the world. According to Brumaker, Loveman and Stamatov “What cognitive perspectives suggest, in short, is that race, ethnicity and nation are not things of the world but ways of seeing the world. They are ways of understanding and identifying oneself, making sense of one's problems and predicaments. Identifying one's interest and orienting one's actions. They are ways of recognizing, identifying and classifying other people, of constructing sameness and difference, and of other coding and making sense of their action” (Brumaker et al. 2004:47)

1.4.2. Analytical Framework

In my analysis I will analyze the changes within each of the four types of identity during the Japanese colonial era. Further, I will analyze if there is agreement within the group concerning the content of the identity. The framework leads me to the four working hypothesis.

1) The constitutive norms in Taiwanese society changed between 1895 and 1945.

2) During the Colonial Era Taiwanese elites developed the goal of improving the rights and opportunities for the Taiwanese.

3) The relational comparison to the Japanese created a notion of Taiwanese as a collective

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4) The Colonial framework changed the understanding how created Taiwan as a single community.

The research covers the identity changes among the Chinese settlers in Taiwan. I do not include research of the identity changes for the multiple aboriginal societies living in Taiwan. The following table illustrates the framework of content and contestation applied to identity changes in Taiwan during Japanese colonial rule.

Table 1. Analytical framework.

Content of identity Development of the content of identity

norms-The practices and social norms that define identity and leads other to recognize it.

purposes-Goals and purposes shared by an identity group.

The aspect of which culture is distinguished from other cultures.

7 their actions or material will be

influenced by their identity.

Perception of territory and what it means.

Taiwan as a single community

Source: Compiled by the Author

1.4.3. Methodology

My paper is conducted using historic-comparative and interpretive methodology. I explore the historical processes leading to identity changes. I will focus on the Japanese colonial policies as well as the Taiwanese elites as the most important forces transforming or constructing identity on Taiwan.

I will investigate the topic as a case study. Robert K. Yin defines the case study as an “empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon in depth within its real-life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are clearly evident … operational links needing to be traced over time, rather than mere frequencies or incidence” (Yin, 2014:16) I argue that the case of Japanese colonial era influencing the Taiwanese ideology corresponds to Yins the definition. The national identity on Taiwan is certainly a contemporary phenomenon from the real world. I argue that the complexity of identity and uncertainties of the colonial rule makes the historic event suited for a case study.