Democratization in Taiwan Challenges in Transformation

Taiwan faces many of the same challenges as most newly democratized nations such as the legacy of an authoritarian government, a traditional culture, ethnic division and non-majoritarian political institutions. Each chapter in this volume sheds light on the democratization process. The contributors examine questions concerning the state of political trust, ethnicity, democratic values and political institutions. In the post-Cold War era when America's foreign policy is focusing on how best to foster democratic transition throughout the world, the lessons that can be learned from Taiwan's democratization impart valuable lessons to students and scholars.

Contents: Introduction, James Meernik and Philip Paolino; Democracy in a mildly divided society, John Fuh-sheng Hsieh; Confucian belief and the effectiveness of local governance: a survey and exploration of Taiwanese local elites in 7 countries and cities, Da-Chi Liao and Herlin Chien; Cultural and political convergence and divergence: survey data across the Taiwan strait with US and Korean comparisons, Steve Chan; Comparing consensus on Taiwan democracy among the mass public and elites, Chia-hung Tsai, Lu-huei Chen and Ching-hsin Yu; Democratic commitment in Taiwan: an analysis of survey data, T.Y. Wang; Quality of political choice and popular orientation toward democracy, Eric C.C. Chang and Yun-han Chu; Referendum and democracy: the experience of Taiwan, Chi Huang; Semi-presidentialism and voters' views of divided government in Taiwan, Philip Paolino; From state entrepreneurs to political entrepreneurs: democratization and the politics of financial liberalization in Taiwan, Alexander C. Tan; The China factor in Taiwan's domestic politics, Emerson Niou; Conclusion, Philip Paolino and James Meernik; Index.

Philip Paolino is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of North Texas, USA. James Meernik is Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of North Texas, USA.