1st Edition
Political Changes in Taiwan Under Ma Ying-jeou Partisan Conflict, Policy Choices, External Constraints and Security Challenges
In 2008 Ma Ying-jeou was elected President of Taiwan, and the Kuomintang (KMT) returned to power after eight years of rule by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Since taking power, the KMT has faced serious difficulties, as economic growth has been sluggish, society has been polarised over issues of identity and policy, and rapprochement between Taipei and Beijing has met with suspicion or reservation among large segments of Taiwanese society. Indeed, while improved relations with the United States have bolstered Taiwan’s security, warming cross-Strait relations have in turn made Taiwan more dependent upon and vulnerable to an increasingly powerful China.
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the return of the Kuomintang (KMT) to power, and examines the significant domestic political, economic, social and international challenges and changes that have characterized Taiwan since 2008. It identifies the major domestic, cross-Strait and foreign policy trends, and addresses key issues such as
- elections and Taiwan’s party system;
- the role of the presidency and legislature;
- economic development; social movements;
- identity politics;
- developments in cross-Strait relations;
- Taiwan’s security environment and national defence policies;
- relations with the US and Japan.
In turn, the contributors look towards the final years of Ma’s presidency and beyond, and the structural realities – both domestic and external – that will shape Taiwan’s future.
Political Changes in Taiwan Under Ma Ying-jeou will be of great interest to students and scholars of Taiwan studies, comparative politics, international relations, and economics. It will also appeal to policy makers working in the field.
Introduction, Jean-Pierre Cabestan & Jacques deLisle Part I: Political Developments 1. Continuity in the 2012 Presidential and Legislative Elections, Nathan F. Batto 2. Taiwan's Party System in the Ma Ying-jeou Era, Dafydd Fell 3. The Role of the Legislative Yuan under Ma Ying-jeou: The Case of China-Policy Legislations and Agreements, Dai Shih-chan & Wu Chung-li Part II: Economy and Society 4. Taiwan’s Economy in the Shadow of ECFA, Douglas Fuller 5. The Resurgence of Social Movements under the Ma Ying-jeou Government (2008-2012): A Political Opportunity Structure Perspective, Ho Ming-sho 6. Revisiting Identity Politics Under Ma Ying-jeou, Christopher R. Hughes Part III: The Relations Across the Taiwan Strait 7. Ma Ying-jeou’s Rapprochement Policy: Cross-Strait Progress and Domestic Constraints, Liu Fu-kuo 8. Mainland China’s Peaceful Development Strategy and Cross-Strait Relations, Chu Shulong Part IV: Security Issues 9. Better or Worse? Taiwan’s Changing Security Environment, Gudrun Wacker 10. Taiwan’s National Defense Transformation, Taiwan’s Security and US-Taiwan Relations, Lin Cheng-yi Part V: International Relations and Status 11. US-Taiwan Relations Since 2008, Richard Bush 12 Japan-Taiwan Relations Since 2008: An Evolving Practical, not Strategic, Partnership, Ryo Sahashi 13. Taiwan in International Organizations, Sigrid Winkler 14. Taiwan and Soft Power: Contending with China and Seeking Security, Jacques deLisle
Biography
Jean-Pierre Cabestan is Head and Professor, Department of Government and International Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University.
Jacques deLisle is Stephen A. Cozen Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania and also serves as the Director of the Center for East Asian Studies and Deputy Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China at the University of Pennsylvania, and Director, Asia Program, Foreign Policy Research Institute.
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