Taiwan Pol & Foreign Policy

Taiwan is a leading example of democratic transition and consolidation, the sole culturally Chinese democracy, one of four “Asian tigers” that forged a model of state-led economic development, the world’s 22nd largest economy, the dominant producer of high-end computer chips that power the 21st century economy, and a strategic hot spot considered “the most dangerous place on earth” in the context of U.S.-China strategic competition. It is the site of intense political contestation over national identity and complex electoral and party politics, and the target of advanced cognitive warfare from mainland China. It contends with problems of societal resilience in the domains of energy, food supply, communications, civil defense, and other fields. This course examines Taiwan’s political development, institutions, parties, elections, identity politics, social movements, political economy, and foreign/China policy, while placing Taiwan in comparative perspective to explore the extent to which its experiences are unique or illustrate general theories of political development, economic development, party politics, and international relations.