Taiwan's Politics in Action: Elections Past and Future
On January 11, 2020 Taiwan will hold its national quadrennial presidential, vice-presidential and plenary legislative election. Pundits predict it will be a seminal event, some say a life or death election, as the candidates of the two main parties (the ruling Democratic Progressive Party—DPP) and the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) hold diametrically opposed views on the issue that divides Taiwan: independence or unification.
Elections in Taiwan have an interesting and colorful history. They have been critical to Taiwan’s successful democratization.
Taiwan held local elections in the 1950s after the United States afforded it protection. In the 1960s Taiwan’s miracle economic growth provided the basis for a middle class—essential to democracy. In 1986 a new party formed and became a competitive party; two-party elections followed. In 1996 Taiwan had its first direction presidential election. In 2000 the opposition party won the presidency. Since then there have been three more changes of ruling parties.
The speaker will assess how this election campaign will proceed and what are the factors to understand to grasp this election’s importance. He will even make some predictions about the results.
Speaker
John Franklin Copper is the Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies (emeritus) at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.
Dr. Copper is the author of more than thirty-five books on Asia and international affairs. In addition, he has written several monographs, edited one book, co-edited one book, and co-translated two books. He has also contributed to more than forty books and has published over seventy articles in academic journals and magazines. A number of his public addresses have been published.
Date
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Time
2:30 - 4:00pm
Place
SFU Burnaby
Academic Quadrangle
AQ 3154
8888 University Drive, Burnaby
Please register HERE.