China and East Asian Democracy: The Taiwan Factor

If the People’s Republic of China (PRC) moves toward democracy, it is likely to be in no small part due to the influence of the Republic of China (Taiwan). This influence comes not only from the direct impact of Taiwanese political and social actors in promoting change, but also from Taiwan’s being the first and only democracy yet to be installed in a culturally Chinese society. In addition to demonstrating the compatibility of democracy and Chinese culture, Taiwan’s successful democratic transition illustrates a possible exit strategy that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could follow if it seeks to move away from one-party authoritarianism.