Political Development in the Republic of China on Taiwan, 1985-1992: An Insider's View

The rapid and sustained growth of the Taiwanese economy has created a substantial middle class which in turn has pushed for greater political openness for the country. The advent of an export economy, the socioeconomic shift from an agrarian ruralism to an industrial urbanism and the growth of an intellectual class have all furthered the cause of political reform in Taiwan. However, the factious nature of democratic debate is not innate to the Confucian concepts on which Chinese culture is based. Such reform will therefore need to be patiently managed.