Taiwan and the Cause of Democratization in China: Inspiration and Support

This book analyzes Taiwan’s evolving role in the cause of democracy in China. Taiwan’s successful democratization is not only historic in political development but also compels one to reflect on its meaning for China’s path of regime transformation. This becomes particularly salient in recent years, when the rise of a totalitarian China leads the major Western states to rediscover Taiwan as a frontline liberal democracy in their volatile relations with Xi Jinping’s China. While Taiwan must defend itself after “one country two systems” model is shattered in Hong Kong, Taipei’s self-claim as the beacon of democratic transition leads one to ascertain whether and how Taiwan has actually inspired and supported the cause of democracy and human rights in the rest of the Chinese-speaking world (including Hong Kong). Overall Taiwan has a mixed record in providing support for this cause – a record defined by basic empathy, restraint and a rising passion from social movements.