Local and Provincial Elections in Taiwan: Appraising Steps in Democratization

Abstract

This chapter analyzes Taiwan’s 1994 elections for provincial governor, provincial assembly, Taipei City, and Kaohsiung City mayors and councils, as well as legislative recalls as trends towards greater democratization in Taiwan. It appraises electoral administration, voter participation, inter-party competition, and election campaigns according to criteria of normative theories of democracy. The appraisal identifies biased electronic media, high costs of campaigns, and allegations of corruption as problems for attention if Taiwan is to sustain democratic institutions that distinguish it from its former Leninist-like policies and practices.

This is one of a series of essays identifying trends in increased power-sharing in Taiwan since 1986. See James A. Robinson, “Local Elections in Taiwan, 1993–94: Appraising Steps in Democratization,” in Political Chronicle, vol. 6, no. 2 (1994): p. 1–9. For citations of companion articles, see: Deborah A. Brown, Eric P. Moon & James A. Robinson, “Taiwan’s 1998 Legislative and Metropolitan Elections: Appraising Steps in Democratization,” in China Perspectives, no. 21 (1999): p. 29–37, footnote 1. All papers derive from field-work concurrent with the elections.