In Episode 63 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg draws a parallel between the self-determination struggles in Taiwan and Puerto Rico. Each is an island nation in the “backyard” of a great imperial power, struggling for its independence. Taiwan is de facto independent from China, with a movement to make it official. Puerto Rico is a de facto colony (officially an “unincorporated territory”) of the United States, with a movement for independence. Taiwan is being particularly threatened at this moment by the imperial power that covets it; Puerto Rico is being particularly fucked over at this moment by the imperial power that controls it. Yet the emergence of Taiwan-Puerto Rico solidarity is held back by the fact that their respective imperial metropoles are rivals on the geopolitical chessboard—another illustration of how a global divide-and-rule racket is the essence of the state system.
Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon.
Books discussed: Taiwan’s 400 Year History by Su Beng; Decolonization Models for America’s Last Colony: Puerto Rico by Angel Collado-Schwarz
Production by Chris Rywalt
We ask listeners to donate just $1 per episode via Patreon. We have made it to our initial goal of $30 per episode! Thank you for your support, and please keep it coming!
Image: Wang LeWei, Josh MacPhee, Mac McGill via Art for a Free Taiwan
