Governance and Economic Transformation in Taiwan: The Role of Politics

Abstract

This article analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the developmental‐state approach as compared with a broader and more flexible developmental‐governance approach – in relation to economic transformation in a single case country, Taiwan. It argues that both approaches have strong and weak points, and comes down in favour of the view that it is only through a ‘thick’ study of political forces, processes and circumstances that the reasoning behind developmental policies and institutions can be understood and the processes of economic transformation explained.

Evaluation of Sustainable Development in Six Transformation Fields of the Central Taiwan Science Park

“…National leaders have a consensus on pursuing national economic development and actively pursue this goal, a vital characteristic for the survival of a developmental state [60]. However, according to our findings, local residents are bearing many problems caused by this development; such as the transformation of the rural landscape, traffic jams, pollution, and relocations.…”

“…Moreover, an item of "Cross-domain integration" was established for Goal 16 and Goal 17, i.e., creating a partnership to achieve Taiwan's economic goals through strong institutions, which cross the seven major transformation fields in CTSP. National leaders have a consensus on pursuing national economic development and actively pursue this goal, a vital characteristic for the survival of a developmental state [60]. However, according to our findings, local residents are bearing many problems caused by this development; such as the transformation of the rural landscape, traffic jams, pollution, and relocations.…”

The Economic and Political Transformation of Taiwan from a Limited to an Open Access Order

“…Dlaczego reżim Chiang Kaj-szeka nie uległ pokusie wykorzystania monopolu władzy politycznej i ekonomicznej do realizacji krótkookresowych korzyści, lecz zaangażował się w proces instytucjonalnych reform inicjujących trwały rozwój? Paradoksalnie, kluczową pozytywną rolę odegrało zagrożenie ze strony Chińskiej Republiki Ludowej [Rigger, 1999;Lauridsen, 2014;You, 2015]. Zarówno polityka wewnętrzna, jak i zewnętrzna były podporządkowane utrzymaniu się przy władzy i odparciu agresji ze strony komunistycznych Chin.…”

PLS and OPLS Discriminatory Analyses on Political Sustainability in Taiwan

“…Its governance mechanism was implemented by a coherent, competent and merit-based economic bureaucracy. However, some scholars have argued that whether such a growth experience is valid in Taiwan [1]. Taiwan's experience can offer an example of political sustainability under circumstances of the changing public opinion.…”