Abstract
In an era of worldwide rights regression, beleaguered Taiwan remains Asia’s most democratic, gender equitable, and liberal internationalist nation. What accounts for this seemingly exceptional record—and how does the feminist factor contribute to the construction of rights? Bridging constructivist and feminist scholarship, this essay argues that gender equity is a force multiplier for democratization as it empowers civil society and fosters legitimacy at home and abroad. In a three-level game, states at the margin of the international system may benefit from rights reform that expands the national interest and delivers material and reputational rewards. The case of Taiwan illustrates the dynamics of the double transition to liberal democracy and a liberal gender regime and its projection to world politics. The rewards of rights for Taiwan suggest a wider range of options even in small states facing regional challenges—and greater attention to the feminist factor in world politics.
Highlights
In an era of worldwide rights regression, Taiwan remains Asia’s most democratic, gender equitable, and liberal internationalist nation
The election of a woman President in 2016, renewed in 2020, caps a rising tide of women’s political empowerment with 42% Parliamentary representation, legislative reforms in all areas of equity and security, and an active women’s movement (Department of Gender Equality 2020; Law, 2020) What accounts for this seemingly exceptional record—and how does the feminist factor contribute to the construction of human rights? Bridging constructivist and feminist scholarship, this essay argues that Taiwan’s
This essay will integrate constructivist with feminist analysis, chronicle the political process of the three-level game of rights construction in Taiwan, and show how Taiwan has been rewarded for its dual liberalization of political and gender regimes
Summary
In an era of worldwide rights regression, Taiwan remains Asia’s most democratic, gender equitable, and liberal internationalist nation. Authoritarian regime repression helped create the first generation of women political activists, who were often the wives of imprisoned dissidents or journalists, as well as women with more latitude to mobilize for seemingly apolitical modernization or protection of women in the restricted authoritarian environment—which spilled over into other forms of civic organizing as in the case of Annette Lu. Taiwan’s 1980s democratization process was largely inspired by the 1979 loss of formal diplomatic relations with the U.S and following the
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
