Political Science and Taiwan's Domestic Politics: The State of the Field

In: Issues & studies: a social science quarterly on China, Taiwan, and East Asian affairs, Volume 38-39, Issue 4-1, p. 49-92

Abstract

In the past twenty years, social scientists have produced a substantial literature in English on Taiwan's domestic politics. In a review of more than 150 books, articles, & chapters, this article traces the development of that literature & identifies its main themes & topics -- including political economy, social change, critical Taiwan studies, ethnicity & national identity, democratization & democratic consolidation, constitutional issues, institutional development, election studies, political parties & coalitions, & policy making. The article finds the field of Taiwanese politics divided into area studies, theoretically driven or policy-oriented research. The author advocates more integration of these approaches as well as more cross-fertilization between qualitative & quantitative work, & between US-based & Taiwan-based researchers. The author also identifies topics in need of additional research, including partisanship & party realignment, institutional reform, legislative politics, bureaucratic politics, & pre-1945 political development. 2 Tables, 1 Figure, 156 References. Adapted from the source document.