The Political Economy of the Commodification of Alcohol and Taiwanese Aborigines' Drinking and Drinking-related Health Problems: A Historical Analysis

• Main Authors: Tzu-li Chen, 陳慈立
• Other Authors: Meei-shia Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/05766838206065445339

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 公共衛生研究所 === 95 === In Taiwan, the health status of aborigines is worse than the average of the total population in many public health indices. The disparity is even greater in drinking-related health problems, including cirrhosis of liver, unintentional injuries, gout, digestive diseases etc. Alcoholism is also a more serious problem in aboriginal areas in Taiwan. Furthermore, this problem is worsening in the past few decades. How can Taiwanese aborigines’ serious drinking-related health problems be analyzed? Some studies conducted by a few Western anthropologists regarding alcoholism of the natives in various countries demonstrates that, in order to obtain a better understanding of this problem, it is very important to study it in a historical and political-economic context. This study is based on both macro- and micro-level data. At the macro-level, we collected the secondary data of (1) the changes in Taiwanese aborigines’ drinking behavior and drinking-related health problems and (2) the commidification of alcohol in aboriginal areas in particular and in Taiwan in general. At the micro-level, we conducted an in-depth case study of the Yue-Tao village in southern Taiwan, where the residents are primarily Pai-wan aboriginal people. We studied the social change of the village and the changes in Pai-wan aborigines’ life experiences regarding drinking and drinking-related health problems. Our research demonstrates that the political economic changes in the past few decades in Taiwan have had drastic impacts on the social relations of Taiwanese aborigines. In their efforts in adapting to this rapidly changing political and economic environment, Taiwanese aborigines have encountered many frustrations and daunting life problems. Meanwhile, with the commodification and marketization of alcohol in Taiwan and in aboriginal areas, alcohol has become an easily accessible commodity in aborigines’ daily living. As a result, the aborigines, particularly those who have encountered great frustrations and other problems in their lives, use drinking as means of escape or adaptation. Subsequently, heavy drinking became a prevalent problem and drinking-related health problems worsened among Taiwanese aborigines, as well as Pai-wan aborigines in Yue-tao village.