Taiwan's Presidential Politics: Democratization and Cross-Strait Relations in the Twenty-First Century

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The March 2000 presidential election was an important milestone in the ongoing development of democracy in Taiwan. After controlling political power for over five decades, the Kuomintang (KMT) was turned out of power and replaced by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) through a free and fair election. Chen Shuibian's victory and the defeat of the KMT have important consequences for future political developments in Taiwan and the Asia Pacific region in general.

This volume looks at the domestic and international implications of this alternation of power in Taiwan. The chapters address trends and changes in Taiwan's politics and analyze the outcome of the March 2000 election. Other issues discussed include: the challenges and prospects for continued democratic consolidation in Taiwan; the lessons and ramifications for China and Southeast Asia; peace and security in the region; cross-strait economic relations; and U.S. and Japanese policy in Asia.

SYNOPSIS

The victory of Chen Shu-bian over his Kuomintang rivals of the Taiwanese presidential elections of March 2000 will have wide-ranging consequences in China and the one-party, quasi-democratic regimes in Southeast Asia, argues Alagappa (Director, East-West Center, Washington) in his introduction to these nine essays exploring issues raised by the elections. Among the essays by scholars from Taiwan, the United States, and China are an analysis of how Chen won; a discussion of the international constraints on international policy makers in Beijing, Washington, and Taipei; a look at Chinese- Taiwanese economic relations; and an exploration of the implications for Japan's foreign policy.