Democratization and Alliance Policy: A Comparison of Taiwan and the Philippines

Abstract

Abstract This article explains the alignment policies of Taiwan and the Philippines vis-a-vis the United States since these Asian countries made their democratic transitions. While Manila turned away from Washington by abruptly ending the U.S. military presence there in 1991, Taipei made efforts to reinforce its security relationship with Washington. These opposing diplomatic approaches are explained by highlighting the distinct political transition processes and security environments of these two new democracies. The paper argues that Manila distanced itself from Washington largely because (a) democratic elites there rose to power swiftly by overthrowing an authoritarian regime and (b) the government's main adversary apparently shared its national identity and possessed weak military strength. In contrast, Taiwan turned to the United States in important aspects because (a) old elites in Taipei could control the process of democratic transition and (b) Taiwan's new democratic elites viewed the Chinese mai...