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“honeymoon” effect of the first peaceful transfer of power in the nation’s history.
Indeed, as Taiwan’s economy continues to be in a doldrums, voters increasingly say
that DPP government’s incompetence also contributes to the problem, as does
international economic downturns and obstruction by opposition parties. Whether
their dissatisfaction with the state of the economy will translate into punishment of the
incumbent (retrospective voting) – thus confirming “democracy is at work,” or a
general malaise or even disenchantment with democracy remains to be seen.
However, it is clear from poll results that Taiwanese voters have a view on
what democracy can or cannot deliver that is more realistic than their counterparts in
other NDCs. People in many NDCs with a long history of authoritarian rule and
economic stagnation have pent-up demand on their new democracy – a natural
reaction driven by a sense of justice. They expect democracy to bring in material
well-being, healthy party politics, and social stability. But the new democracy does
not operate in a political vacuum and when it is hamstrung by many countervailing
forces and fails to meet voters’ expectations, many people or groups risk abandoning
their new rules of the game and way of life. Democracy thus faces real dangers for
survival.
Taiwan’s democratic transition occurred after the country had achieved
relatively high degree of economic development and social equity. Unlike in the
Convention