Liminality as an anthropological concept refers to "the transitional
periods between two states of life" (p 52). A common example of this, is the
transition "between childhood and adulthood" (p 52). This is often referred to as a rite of passage. The concept of liminality guides Stephane Corcuff's article titled "The Liminality of Taiwan: A Case - Study in Geopolitics." In this article, Corcuff argues that the idea of liminality is relevant to the historic relations between Taiwan and China but not in a simple way. He states that the typical definition of liminality as a phase of transition is not completely useful in this case. Corcuff rather emphasizes the idea of liminality as a way of explaining a threshold. In the case of the relationship between China and Taiwan, "the larger entity," (p 55) although it is an undeniable influence on the smaller one, has never been able to fully consume it. This idea is just one of the many examples of how the connection between Taiwan and China is so complex. Stephan Corcuff stresses the concept of liminality throughout his article but he also raises the question of Taiwan's overall importance. Corcuff asks, why should Taiwan be of concern to anyone on a national level? Why is it interesting? He reveals the answer by explaining the complex relationship between Taiwan and China.
Taiwan is interesting precisely because of the complexities that exist in regards to its relations with China. In general, it has been difficult finding firm definitions in the matter. The historic connection between Taiwan and China can not be "identified and characterized" (p 43). As Stephane Corcuff put it, it as connection that is "neither this nor that" (p 43). Despite attempts at creating a complete definition, Corcuff believes that one can not be made. He gives the example of dependency theory and how it does not relate to this case. Although China has undoubtably had a great influence on Taiwan, full dependency does not exist. Taiwan is dependent on "Chinese manpower" for example, but it also "provides capital and high technology to China" (p 48). In the midst of the influence China has projected on the smaller country, Taiwanese culture has made its way into China as well. This is evident in the Taiwanese "way of life, including its pop music, food habits and delicacies, and some screen productions (films and entertainment)" (p 49) that has made its way into the Chinese cultural landscape. Stephane Corcuff proves that dependency theory does not define the relationship between Taiwan and China and that there can be no clear definition. This complexity is what makes Taiwan interesting, even on a national level.
Work Cited
Corcuff, Stephane. 2012. "The Liminality of Taiwan: A Case - Study in Geopolitics." Taiwan in Comparative Perspective 4: 34 - 64. Online resource: https://www.google.ca/search?q=large+degree&rlz=1C5CHFA_enCA503CA503&oq=large+degree&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.1949j0j4&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8#q=at+a+high+level+of+interest, last accessed January 13, 2013.
