Struggles for Independence: The Cases of Haiti and Taiwan
Within the global space, smaller states face complex struggles for independence, legitimacy, and a strong establishment as a result of their smaller, hence weaker, positionalities relative to larger global powers. Given the nature of globalization, the experiences of smaller states have been greatly influenced and enforced by their relationships with external powers, especially in the modern era. With various social, political, and economic interests in mind and extensive capabilities to pursue those interests, more powerful states have used their power to instill and benefit from the exploitation of the smaller states’ geographic and financial assets, which in turn hinders the smaller state's ability to fully function and prosper. In addition to this external dynamic of oppression, internal obstacles include not only the struggle to establish strong structures to uphold society but also the challenge of constructing and navigating group identities, which in turn also plays a role in shaping the state’s identity and behaviors. In particular, the unique cases of Haiti and Taiwan’s struggles for independence reveal how these complex forces have shaped the experiences of its peoples, its relationships, and the state as a whole over time. The following sections will examine these case studies and compare the two in the following scopes: the history of struggles for independence in a global context, the development of group identity and its influence in shaping a new democratic state, and the strategic formation of modern international alliances. Ultimately, this piece seeks to draw attention to the intersection of the two’s struggles for independence and how their interactions with each other influence their respective experiences and development in the global world.