This chapter comprises seven sections. Section 3.1 raises the question of the impact of democratisation on the national identity issue and political unity. Section 3.2 proposes several theoretical hypotheses. Section 3.3 undertakes a historical test of a controversial ‘empire thesis’ through an historical overview of China's national identity question, in particular an historical account of the various episodes when Chinese nationalism has clashed with democratisation over the national identity question. Sections 3.4 and 3.5 examine further the clash between democratisation and nationalism in today's China, with a particular focus on Taiwan and Tibet. Section 3.6 argues against a strong historical determinism by formulating an antiempire thesis, and explores the possible democratic mechanisms through which China could avoid the logic of ‘the empire thesis’. Section 3.7 is a short conclusion.

THE IMPACT OF CHINA'S NATIONAL IDENTITY QUESTION ON CHINESE DEMOCRATISATION

The Chinese leadership is now reluctant to initiate large-scale democratisation at the national level in China. Indeed, Chinese state nationalists oppose democratisation, which they see as threatening national unity and control of the territories. In particular, the break-up of the former USSR and the separation of East Timor from Indonesia have reinforced Beijing's fear and resistance to democracy, while China's successful reunion with Hong Kong and Macau has strengthened Beijing's belief that power, not democracy, can unify China.

In contrast, Chinese liberal dissidents, such as Yan Jiaqi, Wei Jingsheng and Hu Ping, call for democratic federalism to resolve the questions of Taiwan and Tibet. It is argued that through federalism, a grand-coalition government and genuine autonomy, China might be able to maintain its size and unity while also becoming democratic. This view is contested by this empirical study of Chinese modern history and the effect of the national identity question on democratisation.

This chapter attempts to analyse the impact of China's national identity question on Chinese democratisation and to explore why China has difficulty in establishing democracy. Shaohua Hu (2000) has used historical legacies, local forces, the world system, socialist values and economic development to explain China's difficulty in establishing democracy. This chapter focuses on the national identity question and examines the conditions in which Chinese nationalism can be said to constitute an obstacle to democratisation. It will seek to demonstrate the logic of the conflict between democracy and state nationalism in the context of China's national identity issue.