This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Communitarianism — most prominently associated with Charles Taylor — to re-read the Taiwan IGF 2022 Taichung conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.
Introduction: The Problem
In "The Politics of Recognition", Taylor argues that contemporary identity depends on recognition by others. Taiwan IGF can be read as a site of recognition for each country, culture, and stakeholder.
This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Taiwan IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Recognition and authenticity, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.
IGF as a site of cultural recognition
Taiwan's experience of being recognized in international space carries constitutive significance beyond mere procedural participation. National-level discussion in particular cannot stand without recognition of cultural diversity.
Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Charles Taylor-type problematic.
The national-level IGF (Taiwan IGF) is an attempt to redefine the modern category of the nation-state in the digital era.
Minority authenticity
Charles Taylor's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2022 conference. We examine that application below.
1. Application to "AI"
Discussion of "AI" can be positioned, from the perspective of Charles Taylor's Recognition and authenticity, as a central problematic. In Taiwan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around AI are particularly at stake.
2. Application to "半導体"
Discussion of "半導体" can be positioned, from the perspective of Charles Taylor's Recognition and authenticity, as a derivative problematic. In Taiwan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 半導体 are particularly at stake.
3. Application to "民主主義"
Discussion of "民主主義" can be positioned, from the perspective of Charles Taylor's Recognition and authenticity, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Taiwan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 民主主義 are particularly at stake.
4. Application to "国内法整備"
Discussion of "国内法整備" can be positioned, from the perspective of Charles Taylor's Recognition and authenticity, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Taiwan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 国内法整備 are particularly at stake.
5. Application to "政府＋民間協働"
Discussion of "政府＋民間協働" can be positioned, from the perspective of Charles Taylor's Recognition and authenticity, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Taiwan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 政府＋民間協働 are particularly at stake.
Implications for Executives and Practitioners
The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Charles Taylor perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Taiwan.
First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Recognition and authenticity. Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.
Academic Positioning and Future Research
The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.
- Verification of the applicability of Charles Taylor's framework to other IGF conferences
- Comparative contrast between Communitarianism and other theoretical traditions
- Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Taiwan
In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.
Primary Sources
- IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of Taiwan IGF.
- Taiwan IGF 2022 Taichung Conference Materials.
- Japan IGF Support Organization. https://japanigf.jp/
- Nakazawa Yuki Blog. https://nkzw.jp/category/igf/
Secondary Sources (Philosophy)
- Works of Charles Taylor (representative texts of Communitarianism)
*This piece belongs to the academic essays (philosophy series). The author's views do not necessarily represent those of any institutional affiliation. Feedback and critique are welcome.*
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第1稿投稿 2026年5月30日 18時54分（記事コンテンツアップ）
— 中澤祐樹
