Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-24hb2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T20:06:08.485Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Political Change on Taiwan: Transition to Democracy?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2009

Extract

Samuel P. Huntington categorized Taiwan's path to democracy as “transformation,” by which he meant that “the elites in power took the lead in bringing about democracy.” The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) would agree with this explanation, although the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which was established in 1986 in defiance of martial law, would argue that Taiwan's liberalization and democratization was carried out through a process of transplacement, in which “democratization resulted largely from the joint action by government and opposition groups”.

Type
Greater China
Copyright
Copyright © The China Quarterly 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Huntington, Samuel P., The Third Wave (Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1991), pp. 113–14Google Scholar; Stephen, Alfred, “Paths toward redemocratization: theoretical and comparative considerations,” in O'Donnel, Guillermo, Schmitter, Philippe C. and Whitehead, Laurence (eds.), Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Comparative Perspectives (Balti-more: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986), pp. 6484Google Scholar. For the role of Taiwan's opposition in the transition to democracy, see Lu, Alexander Ya-li, “Political opposition in Taiwan: the development of the Democratic Progressive Party,” in Cheng, Tun-jen and Haggard, Stephen (eds.), Political Change in Taiwan (Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1992) pp. 121146Google Scholar; Chou, Yangsun and Nathan, Andrew J., “Democratizing transition in Taiwan,” Asian Survey, Vol. 27, No. 3 (03 1987), pp. 277299CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

2. See Leng, Shao-chuan and Palmer, Norman D., Sun Yat-sen and Communism (New York: Praeger, 1961), pp. 9394Google Scholar; Sidney Chang and Leonard Gordon, All Under Heaven… Sun Yat-sen and His Revolutionary Thought (Stanford: Hoover Institution Press, 1991), pp. 109113Google Scholar.

3. “Constitution of the Republic of China,” in Blaustein, A. and Flanz, G. (eds.), Constitutions of the Countries of the World (Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana, 1981), pp. 4547Google Scholar. Subsequently, the Temporary Provisions were amended in 1960, 1966 and 1972.

4. In January 1954 the Council of Grand Justices rendered a constitutional interpretation (No. 31) to permit senior members of these bodies to continue to serve “pending a new election.” Chiu, Hungdah, “Constitutional development and reform in the Republic of China on Taiwan,” Issues & Studies, Vol. 29, No. 1 (01 1993), p. 20Google Scholar. Between 1972 and 1989 a small number of additional members were elected in “supplementary elections” to the three representative bodies. They were subject to re-election every six years (National Assembly and Control Yuan) or every three years (Legislative Yuan). Ibid. pp. 21–22.

5. See Nathan, Andrew and Ho, Helena V. S., “Chiang Ching-kuo's decision for political reform,” in Leng, Shao-chuan (ed.), Chiang Ching-kuo's Leadership in the Development of the Republic of China on Taiwan (Lanham: University Press of America, 1992)Google Scholar, ch. 2. For a detailed discussion of the ROC's transition, see Tien, Hung-mao, The Great Transition: Political and Social Change in the Republic of China (Stanford: Hoover Institution Press, 1989)Google Scholar.

6. For details, consult Ling, Ts'ai and Myers, Ramon H., “Surviving the rough-and-tumble of presidential politics in an emerging democracy: the 1990 elections in the Republic of China,” The China Quarterly, No. 129 (03 1992), pp. 123148CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

7. In an editorial, for instance, The Washington Post, 30 December 1991, p. A12, called the elections “the closest thing to free elections in 40 years”.

8. For a well-balanced assessment of the election, see Hsia, Tao-tai and Zeldin, Wendy, “The December 1991 National Assembly Elections on Taiwan,” Appendix 9 to Hearings on Taiwan before Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, 102nd Congress, first session (1991), pp. 103120Google Scholar.

9. Chu, Yun-han, Crafting Democracy in Taiwan (Taipei: Institute for National Policy Re-search, 1992), p. 46, 97–98Google Scholar. For details of electoral competition in Taiwan, see Huang, Teh-fu, ”Electoral competition and democratic transition in the Republic of China,” Issues & Studies, Vol. 27, No. 10 (10 1991), pp. 97123Google Scholar.

10. For significance and results of the National Affairs Conference, see Feldman, Harvey J. (ed.), Constitutional Reform and the Future of the Republic of China (Armonk: M. E. Sharpe, 1991), pp. 2247Google Scholar.

11. Guoshi Huiyi shilu (Faithful Record of the National Affairs Conference), Vol. 1 (Taipei: Secretariat of the National Affairs Conference, 1990), pp. 1350–51Google Scholar. See also Wu, Jaushieh Joseph, “Politics of constitutional reform in the Republic of China: problems, process, and prospects,” Paper delivered at the Sino-American-European Conference on Contemporary China, Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, Taipei, 16–22 08 1992, pp. 13–14Google Scholar.

12. Free China Journal, 29 May 1992, p. 2; Baum, Julian, ‘Taiwan: machine politics,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 18 06 1992, p. 23Google Scholar.

13. Republic of China Yearbook, 1991–92 (Taipei: Guanghua Publishing Company, 1991), p. 581Google Scholar. For details of ROC emergency power practices, see Hsia, Tao-tai with Zeldin, Wendy, “Laws on emergency powers in Taiwan,” in Leng, Shao-chuan (ed.), Coping with Crises: How Governments Deal with Emergencies (Lanham: University Press of America, 1989), pp. 178–79Google Scholar.

14. Zhongyang ribao (Central Daily News), 25 April 1991, p. 1.

15. Ts'ai, and Myers, , “Surviving the rough-and-tumble,” pp. 129145Google Scholar.

16. Zhongguo shibao (China Times), 17 January 1993, p. 2.

17. Zhongyang ribao, 23 May 1991, p. 1.

18. Zhongyang ribao, 22 April 1992, p. 2.

19. Zhongguo shibao, 6 January 1993, p. 1; 8 January 1993, p. 4.

20. Guoshi huiyi shilu, Vol. 1, pp. 1339, 1342; Free China Journal, 9 July 1990, p. 1.

21. President Lee Teng-hui's remarks to the KMT Second National Assembly Deputies, see Lianhebao (United Daily News), 26 March 1992, p. 3.

22. Ts'ai, and Myers, , “Surviving the rough-and-tumble,” p. 132Google Scholar.

23. Zhongguo shibao, 6 March 1992, p. 3; Lianhebao, 13 March 1992, p. 2.

24. Free China Journal, 17 March 1992, p. 1.

25. China Post (Taipei) 16 March 1992, p. 1.

26. Zhongyang ribao, 17 March 1992, p. 1; China Post, 17 March 1992, p. 1.

27. Uanhebao, 26 March 1992, p. 3.

28. Free China Journal, 23 June 1992, p. 7.

29. Linz, Juan J., “Transitions to democracy,” Washington Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 3 (Summer 1990), p. 153CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

30. Lianhebao, 28 September 1992, p. 4.

31. Robinson, James A., “Can primaries thwart democracy,” Free China Journal, 21 08 1992, p. 7Google Scholar. For the results of the KMT and DPP primaries, see Lianhebao, 6 July 1992, p. 2; 16 August 1992, p. 2; 31 August 1992, p. 2.

32. Lianhebao, 17 September 1992, p. 3; Baum, Julian, “Building the ballot,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 1 10 1992, p. 14Google Scholar.

33. China Post, 18 March 1993, p. 1.

34. Newsweek, 21 December 1992, p. 38; Financial Times, 21 December 1992, p. 4; Los Angeles Times, 20 December 1992, p. A10.

35. Free China Journal, 11 December 1992, p. 7; 15 December 1992, p. 7.

36. For comments on this election, see “Great change in Taiwan's politics,” Shibao zhoukan (China Times Weekly, U.S. edition), 3–9 January 1993, pp. 38–43; “Hsu Hsing-ling is elevated; Lee Teng-hui looks sad,” Xinxinwen (The Journalist), 26 December 1992, pp. 20–24; “The KMT failed because of its poor mathematics,” Xinxinwen, 27 December 1992–2 January 1993, pp. 31–34; “Editorial,” Lianhebao, 20 December 1992, p. 2.

37. For DPP's Chairman Hsu Hsin-Liang's expressed strategy, see Wu, Joseph, “The ROC's Legislative Yuan election of December 1992”, Issues & Studies, Vol. 29, No. 1 (01 1993), pp. 120–21Google Scholar; Hindley, Michael, “KMT needs to learn from setback,” Free China Journal, 12 01 1993, p. 7Google Scholar.

38. The negative attitude of the electorate toward “golden oxen” and “vote-buying” is discussed in Xinxinwen, 20–26 December 1992, p. 24; Zhongguo shibao, 20 December 1992, p. 2; Pun, Allen, “Fat cats deflated in election bids,” Free China Journal, 22 12 1992, p. 7Google Scholar; Baum, Julian, “The hollow centre,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 1 01 1993, pp. 1415Google Scholar.

39. China Post, 11 March 1993, p. 1.

40. Jiaquan, Li, ‘Taiwan's political situation after legislative election,” Beijing Review, 1–7 02 1993, p. 16Google Scholar.

41. Schubert, Gunter, “Constitutional politics in the Republic of China: the rise of the Legislative Yuan,” Issues & Studies, Vol. 28, No. 3 (03 1992), pp. 2137Google Scholar.

42. “New KMT alliance moves to become a de facto political party,” Shibao zhoukan, 21–27 March 1993, p. 27.

43. Cohen, Marc J., Taiwan at the Crossroads (Washington, D.C.: Asia Resource Center, 1988), p. 399Google Scholar.

44. Minzhu jinbudang dangzhang dangceng (Democratic Progressive Party Charters and Platforms) (Taipei: Democratic Progressive Party, 1991), p. 13Google Scholar.

45. Renmin ribao (The People's Daily), 10 October 1991, p. 3.

46. Free China Journal, 18 October 1991, p. 1.

47. Free China Journal, 8 November 1991, p. 2.

48. Free China Journal, 7 July 1992, p. 1; Baum, Julian, “Easing up, somewhat,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 28 05 1992, p. 18Google Scholar.

49. Free China Journal, 25 December 1992, p. 1.

50. Ibid. 23 March 1993, p. 1.

51. Republic of China Yearbook, 1991–92, p. 88.

52. Ma, Ying-jeou, “The Republic of China's policy toward the Chinese mainland,” Issues & Studies, Vol. 28, No. 2 (02 1922), pp. 110Google Scholar.

53. Minzhu jinbudang dangzhang dangceng, p. 13.

54. The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Research Foundation, see Zhongguo shibao, 21 October 1991, p. 3; Zhongyang ribao, 11 May 1993, p. 1. Until May 1993, less than 20% of those surveyed supported independence, but this was raised to 23.7% in the May survey following the Koo-Wang meeting in late April 1993.

55. Lianhebao, 1 April 1991, p. 4; 28 October 1991, p. 2.

56. Lianhebao, 15 June 1990, p. 2.

57. Shijie ribao (Global Journal), 5 December 1989, p. 32; ‘Tourism,” Almanac of China's Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, 1992 (Beijing: Editorial Board of the Almanac, 1992), p. 417Google Scholar.

58. “Trade between Taiwan province and the mainland,” ibid. p. 416; “Cross-Strait trade,” CNA, 19 March 1993.

59. “Foreign investment in the PRC, 1991–92,” JETRO, China Newsletter, No. 102, January-February 1993, p. 19; Baum, Julian, “Taipei's offshore empire,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 18 03 1993, p. 45Google Scholar; Mark, Jeremy, “Taiwan and China fail to resolve investment dispute,” Wall Street Journal, 29 04 1993, p. A10Google Scholar.

60. Kraar, Louis, “A New China without borders,” Fortune, Vol. 126, No. 7 (5 10 1992), p. 125Google Scholar. See also Chen, David, “The emergence of ‘Greater China’,” Free China Journal, 2 03 1993, p. 7Google Scholar.

61. Clough, Ralph, ‘The ROC and international community in the 1900s,” Issues & Studies, Vol. 29, No. 2 (02 1993), pp. 1516Google Scholar.

62. Baum, Julian, “Feeling their way,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 1 04 1993, p. 19Google Scholar; “Lee Teng-hui's golden opportunity,” Xinxinwen, 28 March–3 April 1993, p. 9.

63. Zhongyang ribao, 3 March 1993, p. 1. These two appointments are viewed as an indication that Lee personally is to take charge of the mainland policy. See “Lee Teng-hui's close aides come to the front,” Xinxinwen, 7–13 March 1993, pp. 12–16.

64. “Revise policy of ‘three nos’,” China Post, 20 March 1993, p. 4.

65. Free China Journal, 23 March 1993, p. 1; 26 March 1993, p. 1.

66. For Lee's skilful use of SEF and MAC, see “Lee Teng-hui's left and right hands are playing two chess games simultaneously,” Xinxinwen, 28 March–3 April 1993, p. 21.

67. Zhongyang ribao, 1 April 1993, p. 1.

68. Kristof, Nicholas, “After four decades of bitterness, China and Taiwan plan to meet,” New York Times, 12 04 1993, pp. Al, A5Google Scholar; Zhongyang ribao, 13 April 1993, p. 1; Renmin ribao, 12 April 1993, p. 1.

69. Kristof, Nicholas, “Starting to build their first bridge, China and Taiwan sign four pacts,” New York Times, 30 04 1993, p. AllGoogle Scholar; Zhongyang ribao, 30 April 1993, p. 1.

70. Ibid.; Jeremy Mark, ‘Taipei remains wary of political agenda,” Asian Wall Street Journal, 30 April–1 May 1993, pp. 1, 6; “A dangerous warmth,” The Economist, 1 May 1993, pp. 31–32.

71. “China, Taiwan take first steps together,” Christian Science Monitor, 30 April 1993, p. 6.

72. AFP, 29 April 1993; Zhongyang ribao, 30 April 1993, p. 2.

73. Winckler, Edwin A., “Institutionalization and participation on Taiwan, from hard to soft authoritarianism,” The China Quarterly, No. 99 (09 1984), pp. 481–99CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Winckler, Edwin A., “Taiwan transition?” in Cheng, and Haggard, (eds.), Political Change in Taiwan, p. 248Google Scholar.

74. Hsiao, Hsin-huang Michael, “The rise of social movements and civil protests,” in Cheng, and Haggard, (eds.), Political Change in Taiwan, pp. 5772Google Scholar; Tien, Hung-mao, “Social change and political development in Taiwan,” in Feldman, Harvey, Kau, Michael Y. M. and Kim, Ilpyong J. (eds.), Taiwan in a Time of Transition (New York: Paragon House, 1988), pp. 137Google Scholar.

75. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1991 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1992), p. 842Google Scholar.

76. Dahl, Robert A., Dilemmas of Pluralist Democracy (New Haven: Yale University, 1982), p. 10Google Scholar.

77. Cheng, Tun-jen, “Democratizing the quasi-Leninist regime in Taiwan,” World Politics, Vol. XII, No. 4 (07 1989), p. 496Google Scholar.

78. Pempel, T. J. (ed.), Uncommon Democracies: The One-Party Dominant Regimes (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1990), p. 4Google Scholar; Tien, Hung-mao, The Great Transition, p. 12Google Scholar.

79. Lianhebao, 19 April 1992, p. 2.

80. Duli zaobao (Independence Morning Post), 20 December 1992, p. 3.

81. Ts'ai, and Myers, , “Surviving the rough-and-tumble,” p. 137Google Scholar.

82. Xinxinwen, 28 March–3 April 1993, pp. 12–13.

83. Lin, Cheng-yi, “The U.S. factor in Taiwan's political development,” in Chang, Jaw-ling Joanne (ed.), ROC-USA Relations, 1979–1989 (Taipei: Institute of American Culture of Academia Sinica, 1991), pp. 126135Google Scholar.

84. Renmin ribao, 16 March 1993, p. 1; FBIS, Daily Report-China, 2 April 1993, p. 35.

85. “A conversation with Party leader Jiang Zemin,” U.S. News & World Report, 15 March 1993, pp. 60–61.

86. Huntington, Samuel P., “How countries democratize,” Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 106, No. 4 (Winter 19911992), p. 599CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

87. Free China Journal, 16 April 1993, pp. 1–2.

88. Zhongyang ribao, 2 February 1993, pp. 1, 3.

89. Ibid. 2 April 1993, p. 22.