In the Name of Harmony and Prosperity

Anru Lee

Description

Since the 1980s Taiwan has grown into a global manufacturing powerhouse, a model of success that has inspired emulation throughout the developing world. Yet at the very peak of this expansion, Taiwan began to feel squeezed by changes both domestically and internationally. In the Name of Harmony and Prosperity examines Taiwan's economic restructuring since the late 1980s. Anru Lee discusses the latest phase of Taiwan's socio-economic development, most importantly the dialectical relationship between its export-oriented industrialization, change in production processes, and discourse on work ethics, including the subject formation of women workers as it relates to conditions in the global economy. At the center of this study is the process by which labor-capital relations become fair and legitimate, and how they contribute to our understanding of Asian capitalism and its role in the world economy.
Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Taiwan's Great Transformation

2. From Sunrise to Sunset

3. The Waning of a Hard Work Ethic

4. The Meaning of Work

5. Between Filial Daughter and Loyal Sister

6. Guests from the Tropics

7. Bridging the Global and the Local: Understanding Taiwan's Economic Restructuring

Notes

References

Index

Sujets

• Economic history
• History of Asia
• Anthropology
• Asia

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 26 mai 2004
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791485422
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

IN THE NAME OF HARMONY and PROSPERITY Labor and Gender Politics in Taiwan’s Economic Restructuring

ANRU LEE

In the Name of Harmony and Prosperity

SUNY series in the Anthropology of Work June C. Nash, Editor

In the Name of Harmony and Prosperity

Labor and Gender Politics in Taiwan’s Economic Restructuring

ANRU LEE

StateUniversity ofNewYorkPress

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2004 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, N.Y. 12207

Production by Diane Ganeles Marketing by Susan Petrie

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lee, Anru. In the name of harmony and prosperity : labor and gender politics in Taiwan’s economic restructuring / Anru Lee. p. cm.—(SUNY series in the anthropology of work) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-6033-9 (alk. paper). 1. Women—Employment—Taiwan. 2. Women—Taiwan—Social conditions. 3. Women—Taiwan—Economic conditions. 4. Sex role in the work environment— Taiwan. 5. Structural adjustment (Economic policy)—Taiwan. 6. Business ethics— Taiwan. 7. Working class—Taiwan. I. Title. II. Series.

HD6202.L44 2004 331.4¢095124¢9—dc21

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2003052609

To my mother, Lee Lo Yu-chiao In memory of my father, Lee Shu-jen (1934–1997)

This page intentionally left blank.

Acknowledgments Introduction

Contents

Chapter 1. Taiwan’s Great Transformation Chapter 2. From Sunrise to Sunset Chapter 3. The Waning of a Hard Work Ethic Chapter 4. The Meaning of Work Chapter 5. Between Filial Daughter and Loyal Sister Chapter 6. Guests from the Tropics Chapter 7. Bridging the Global and the Local: Understanding Taiwan’s Economic Restructuring

Notes References Index

vii

ix xiii

1 21 49 75 111 131

151

167 175 191

This page intentionally left blank.

Acknowledgments

A Chinese proverb says that if you have many people to thank but cannot possibly thank them all, you thank the Heaven. My first and foremost gratitude goes to many friends in Homei, who took me under their wings, shared their lives and work with me, and patiently and indulgently tolerated me for my often rude and senseless intrusion into their personal worlds. Their wisdom and courage toward life constituted the core pillar of my fieldwork. Without their kindness and generosity, my research and this book would not have been possible. This book grew out of my doctoral dissertation. I owe my intel- lectual maturity and self-confidence to my advisors and professors at CUNY Graduate Center, who always have more faith in me than I have in myself. Dr. Burton Pasternak, with his utmost support and under- standing, shepherded me through my earlier years at graduate school, when I was most doubtful about the meanings of being in academia. While I was struggling through the lone and long process of dissertation writing, it was the close supervision and continuous timely assistance of Dr. June Nash, Dr. Joan Mencher, and Dr. Michael Blim that kept me focused. June, Joan, and Michael remain as my foremost supporters to these days. I learned from all of them not only anthropological theories but also the crucial task of bridging theories with social praxis. I was extremely lucky to have had the opportunity—and blessing—to be their student. I also dedicate this book to the whole faculty in the Ph.D. Program in Anthropology at CUNY Graduate Center. Their firm belief in social justice and unwavering advocacy for public education were the center guidance of my formative years. Many friends and colleagues helped me at various junctures of con- fusion and frustration during the long years of research and writing,

ix