unification. Our data however shows that, contrasting to the prediction of
rational choice theory, popular support for independence reached its peak
as the cross-strait tensions began to escalate in the year of 1996. Security
alone failed to provide a satisfactory answer. On the other hand, our data
also reveals a recent decline of popular acceptance for unification. If mate-
rial interest is the only reason for people’s support for unification, it is hard
to understand why popular acceptance of unification has declined at times
when the material benefits from economic integration with the PRC began
to make its strong appeal.
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