Taiwan's Mid-1990s Elections

An assessment of the recent unprecedented Taiwanese democratic elections, which, despite threats from Beijing, set the stage for genuine democracy in Taiwan. A firsthand account of three crucial elections in the 1990s, two of which were unprecedented: the 1994 election of the first governor of Taiwan and the 1996 presidential election. The latter marked the first direct election of a chief executive in Taiwan or any Chinese nation in 5,000 years of Chinese history. This study considers the political environment in which these elections were held, particular political issues, party strategies and campaigns, and election results.

Taiwan is now in the final stage of democracy, and its impressive political modernization is one proof of its new status. The 1995 legislative election and the 1996 presidential election were held amidst Beijing's intimidation in the form of missile tests close to Taiwan's shores, massive military excercises, and verbal threats. Such posturing forced the United States to send aircraft carriers to the area in response. Taiwan's remarkable progress has begun to draw the attention of the leaders of developing countries who have come to see Taiwan's political modernization as a model for their own nations.

An assessment of the recent unprecedented Taiwanese democratic elections, which, despite threats from Beijing, set the stage for genuine democracy in Taiwan.

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A political history of the provincial and national 1994, 1995, and 1996 elections in Taiwan. Arguing that Taiwan has done virtually everything needed to be considered a full- fledged democracy, the author considers how policy issues such as crime and the economy were framed by candidates; the emergence of the New Party (NP) from more conservative elements of the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT); the strategies of the NP, the KMT and the more liberal Democratic Progressive Property; and how other countries--especially the United States and China--reacted to the events. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

JOHN F. COPPER is Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies at Rhodes College.