The road to democracy : Taiwan's pursuit of identity

If Taiwan is not a sovereign state, what is it? On an island about the size of the state of West Virginia, Taiwan's people have built a modern industrial democracy. Over the past decade they have produced "twin miracles" of economic development and political reform under the leadership of the author, President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of China (ROC). President Lee's July 9, 1999 statement on the "special state-to-state relationship" took the world by surprise. As The Road to Democracy: Taiwan's Pursuit of Identity makes clear, however, that pronouncement in no way marked a sudden policy shift, much less a declaration of independence. The Nationalist government leader simply wanted to clarify the relationship and parity of the two sides of Taiwan Strait so that Peking (Beijing) and Taipei can proceed with negotiations on an equal footing. In reality, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has never controlled Taiwan, while the ROC relinquished its authority in the mainland after moving its capital to Taipei in 1949. Taiwan has 22 million people with their own elected government. Its per capita national income of over US$12,000 makes it one of the wealthiest countries in Asia today. Taiwan's economic performance consistently ranks among the top 10 percent in the world in terms of economic growth rate, total GNP, per capital income, science and technology, foreign trade volume, foreign exchange reserves, and capital exports. Yet it is not recognized as a sovereign state by most of the countries of the world, nor is it a member of the United Nations. The major themes in The Road to Democracy are woven around two key terms: Taiwan's "existence" and its "experience." Unless the Republic of China on Taiwan remains in existence, its hard-won democracy and economic prosperity could founder, with serious repercussions in Asia and the world. Hence the importance of its security policy based on the three pillars of American commitment to Taiwan's defense, the ROC’s own military preparedness, and an effective pragmatic diplomacy. The "Taiwan Experience," on the other hand, describes the recent past and the economic, political, and social transformation the country achieved with President Lee as the architect. The author believes that the Taiwan Experience can serve as a model for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including the PRC. China's reunification will be possible, he argues, not under Peking's one China formula, but only when the Chinese mainland has been transformed into a society as free and democratic as Taiwan is now. More than simply a political statement and argument for pragmatic diplomacy, this book is also an affirmation of Dr. Lee's love for the people and the land of Taiwan. Finally, it is a testament to his belief, supported by his Christian faith, in the ideals of democracy and freedom for all people. LEE TENG-HUI was born in 1923 in a rural community near Taipei, when Taiwan was under Japanese control. He did his undergraduate work in agricultural economics at Kyoto Imperial University and National Taiwan University, and his graduate studies at Iowa State University and Cornell University, receiving a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the latter in 1968. After teaching at National Taiwan University and serving on government commissions as a specialist on farm policy, he began his political career in 1972, when he was appointed a minister without portfolio. He then served as mayor of Taipei (1978-81), governor of Taiwan province (1981-84), and vice president of the republic (1984-88). Upon the death of President Chiang Ching-kuo in January 1988, Dr. Lee took over the presidency, to which he was formally elected by the National Assembly in 1990. He was sworn in as the first popularly elected president in May 1996 under the revised ROC constitution. President Lee is a Christian and author of numerous books and article on economics, public policy, and religion. Front Cover Front Flap Half Title Page Full Title Page ISBN 4-569-60651-2 To the People of Taiwan CONTENTS Preface The Road to Democracy CHAPTER 1 My Intellectual and Spiritual Journey Growing Up in Colonial Taiwan A Children's Encyclopedia Yearning for Independence Japanese Thought Chinese Culture Reconsidered The Lure of Marxism A Peasant Revolution? From Marxism to Christianity Believing the Invisible The Purpose of Studying I Ching The Three Principles of the People Nationalism, Popular Rights, and Welfare An Accurate Grasp of the Land Problem Saving Agriculture in Taiwan What Is Taiwan's Identity? A Model for a Reunified China CHAPTER 2 My Political Philosophy Two Types of Nationalism New Center of Chinese Culture Qualifications of Taiwanese Politicians Taking the Roundabout Course Politics to Win Votes Is Harmful to the Country Does Democracy Really "Spoil" People? Tectonic Movement in Liberal Democracy Taiwan amid the Tectonic Shifts The Civil Minimum Tested in Taipei Evaluation of Idealism in U.S. Politics Political Caliber of Japan CHAPTER 3 The Dynamics of Peace and Prosperity Promotion of Small and Medium-scale Corporations The Shift in Industrial Structure Taiwan-specific Development and Issues Gradualism in Government Demand for Democratization and the Reality Gap "Existence" Is the Key Challenging the Global Standard Taiwan in the New World Order Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Education Paves the Way for the Future The Need for New Textbooks Judicial Reform as Condition for Democratization Stronger Infrastructure and Further Reform CHAPTER 4 Washington, Peking, and Taipei Change on an Unprecedented Scale Patient, Steady Improvement of Relations "One Country, Two Systems" Rejected Six Points True Meaning of the "Taiwan Experience" The Essence of the "Quiet Revolution" Substantive Ties of International Relations Undercurrent of U.S. Policy toward Taiwan Multilayeied Relations with U.S. Close Private-level Ties Further Expectations of the United States CHAPTER 5 Japan's Role and Responsibilities Deference to a Fault The Yen Should Be Strong Living with a Fiscal Deficit Overcoming Gridlock in Japan Diversity Need Be Restored What Japan Can Do to Regain Its Strength Toward Greater Realism in International Politics Substantial Changes in the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty Vision for Economic Cooperation in Asia A Larger Role in APEC Politicians with Broad Outlooks Needed Develop a Broad Perspective Problem-solving with Conviction CHAPTER 6 A Trilateral Effort in Asia Taiwan's Relations with the United States and Japan Managing the Financial System Interconnectedness in Asia Accurate Information on Asia A Regional System of Financing Choose Taiwan Specter of Hegemony Japan's Failure to See the United States Objectively Drawing Mainland China into the World CHAPTER 7 Taiwan in the Twenty-first Century The New Taiwan, the New Taiwanese Taiwan in History Chiang Ching-kuo's School of Politics Birth of a Liberal Democracy Foundation Laid by the Chiangs Qualifications for the President in 2000 National Science Meeting of Minds My Long Acquaintance with Computers Four Major Projects for the Twenty-first Century More Power to Agriculture Parliamentary Reform Defense for Survival Adequate Social Security Promoting Cultural Activities When Lee Teng-hui Leaves Afterword Index Back Flap Back Cover