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When Chen Shui-bian won the presidency in 2000 and the Democratic Progressive Party became the 'ruling party', many observers said Taiwan experienced democratic consolidation. Nevertheless Chen and his supporters continued to talk of democratization in the ensuing years. But political reform, advances in civil liberties, and ridding the system of corruption must be considered essential to that process. Reform failed due to the fact that Chen's party did not have a majority in the legislature and the president showed poor leadership. Civil liberties deteriorated owing to Chen playing ethnic politics as well as his administration's lack of respect for democratic values. The view that money ruled in politics and the prevalence of personal greed caused corruption to worsen. These three factors suggest the devolution of Taiwan's democracy during the Chen era rather than its consolidation and explain the new administration's loss of public support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses the presidency of Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian from 2000, when he was elected the first non-Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) president to the present. Chen enjoyed broad support at home and abroad, but that soon changed. Three criteria are used to assess his presidency: governance (including political reform), the economy, and his handling of foreign and defense policy. The article concludes that while Chen faced a difficult situation, including having a weak mandate and a legislature controlled by a hostile opposition, he failed to show leadership and resorted to exploiting ethnic tensions. Gridlock resulted. Chen meanwhile saw economic decline and deteriorating relations with the United States and China. Finally, Chen succumbed to corruption. In short, Chen's presidency was a failed one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2000 when Chen Shui-bian was elected president his supporters were elated and optimistic about Taiwan having truly attained democracy. Many scholars also saw the event as significant, marking the consolidation of Taiwan's democratization effort. Soon, how- ever, many became disappointed. Cynicism grew. Opinion polls showed declining support for the President, the legislature, political parties and politics in general. Even democracy was questioned. The causes for this were: (1) Taiwan's mixed political system, which was not ready for the opposition to become the ruling party; (2) Taiwan's style of democracy was copied from America's, in some way wrongly. This made it a system that did not fit an Asian country and allowed for ethnic politics and some other undesirable aspects of democracy to evolve; (3) the Chen Administration ignored the importance of economic development. When the economy deteriorated he sought other ways to remain in power; this further led to a deterioration of politics and hurt the image of the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the process to elect the governor of Taiwan province and mayors of two metropolitan cities and various other elective positions. Significance of elections; Amendment of constitution as preparation for election; Pre-election politics; Conversion of appointive positions to elective positions; Campaign report; Election results.

Looks at the origins of the conflict across the Taiwan Strait, by giving an assessment of the differences in perceptions by scholars, officials and the populations on the two sides, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Overview of the tension which mounted in the Taiwan Strait in 1995 and 1996; Five areas where disparate views are noticeable and divisive; Possible scenarios relating to the consequences of a breakdown of relations between the two sides.