ABSTRACT
It is often said, at least by those who support its continued existence as a free nation, that Taiwan’s greatest asset is its democracy. There are several reasons why it may be so. For one, Taiwan’s democracy distinguishes it from its neighbor across the Taiwan Strait, where authoritarianism and repression have been the only game in town since the creation of the PRC in 1949. Absent anything else, this contrast leaves no doubt even with those who know next to nothing about Taiwan that a fundamental incompatibility exists between the two societies. Another reason why democracy is an asset for Taiwan is that it has ideological appeal. Not a single speech in favor of Taiwan in, say, U.S. Congress fails to mention Taiwan’s democracy as one of the principal reasons why it should be supported politically and militarily. Despite its selective track record on defending (or “exporting”) democracy abroad, U.S. support for Taiwan’s democracy over the decades is without doubt an instance of inspired and noble policy making, one that transcends the narrow interests of the defense industry that stands to benefit from the relationship. Even for other governments that perhaps aren’t as open about their support for Taiwan as the U.S. is, Taiwan’s democracy is often a shared value that is referenced with great respect.
