What does Taiwan’s two-level politics tell us?

2025 ANU TAIWAN UPDATE
What does Taiwan’s two-level politics tell us?

This presentation examines Taiwan as a critical case study for understanding the evolving challenges to democracy in the 21st century. Arguing that Taiwan serves as a “canary in the coalmine,” the analysis highlights how the island’s early and persistent political polarization—rooted in identity politics and the legacies of authoritarian rule—prefigures trends now visible in established democracies worldwide. The research explores how deep divisions between the Kuomintang (KMT) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), reinforced by institutional and social factors, have led to legislative gridlock, declining trust in political institutions, and a “democratic ceiling” that constrains further democratic development. Taiwan’s precarious geopolitical position, facing constant pressure from the People’s Republic of China, intensifies the dilemma of balancing national security with the protection of civil liberties. The presentation analyzes Taiwan’s innovative responses to disinformation, foreign interference, and public health crises, illustrating both the resilience and fragility of democratic systems under external and internal stress.

Speaker
Alexander C. Tan is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, University Chair Professor at National Chengchi University (Taiwan), Honorary Professor of the NZDF Command and Staff College, Fellow of the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies (USA), and Founder and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (NZ).  Alex received his PhD in political science from Texas A&M University, MA Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and AB Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University.  He was recently visiting professor at Oxford University’s School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA).  Alex writes extensively in the areas of parties & elections, political economy, Taiwan and Asian politics, and Asia-Pacific international relations. 

Light lunch will be provided at 12pm. 
View the 2025 Taiwan Update Program

The Taiwan Update is an initiative under the ANU Taiwan Studies Program 2025-28, which is a partnership between the College of Asia and the Pacific at The Australian National University and the Ministry of Education, Republic of China (Taiwan). We especially thank the Political Science and International Relations programme at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington for co-hosting the 2025 Taiwan Update in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Photo by 鎮邦 on Flickr.