Basic Reading:

1.          Hague, Rod and Martin Harrup (2001). Comparative Government and Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave. Chapter 9 Linking Society and Government

2.          Hsieh, John Fuh-sheng. (2002). “Change and Continuity in Taiwan’s Electoral Politics.” In John Hsieh and David Newman (eds.), How Asia Votes. New York: Chatham House Publishers: pp.32-49. (C)

3.          Rawnsley, Gary (2006). “Democratisation and election campaigning in Taiwan: professionalizing the professionals.” In Katrin Voltmer (ed.), Mass Media and Political Communication in New democracies London: Routledge: pp. 133-151. (C)

4.          Sullivan, Jonathan (2009). “Campaign Advertising in Taiwanese Presidential Elections.” Journal of Contemporary China 18: 61, pp.675-688.

5.          Dafydd Fell, Party Politics in Taiwan: Chapter 3. part 1, part 2, part3

Discussion Questions:

1.          What are the most important turning points in Taiwan’s electoral history?

2.          What are the consequences of Taiwan’s electoral systems?

3.          How should the system be reformed?

4.          Assess levels of continuity and change in Taiwanese elections.

5.          Compare Taiwanese electioneering with other new or mature democracies.

6.          How useful are concepts of modernization and Americanization in understanding Taiwanese campaigns?

7.          Do Taiwanese elections promote or undermine democracy?

8.          Can we prove a relationship between Taiwanese campaigns and election results?