J. Megan Greene, The Origins of the Developmental State in Taiwan: Science Policy and the Quest for Modernization

Abstract

The primary goal of this book “is to investigate how and why the ROC [Republic of China] state built institutions and initiated policies of the sort that we associate with developmental states” (p. 2). In doing this, Megan Greene criticizes many of the luminaries in the field including Robert Wade and Alice Amsden among others. For Greene, a developmental state is both strong and proactive. It has two key groups, political leaders and technocrats, who do not necessarily operate with the same interests (pp. 9-10). Green argues that “propitious moments” enhanced the development of science and technology policies in the ROC state both on the mainland and in Taiwan (p. 141). Thus, during the Nanjing Decade, pressure from Japan and the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese war led to stronger science policies. In Taiwan, Greene argues, very little was done for two decades from 1945 to 1965. In fact, during this period greater emphasis was placed on the preservation of Chinese culture. A shortage of funds and the brain drain left Taiwan a scientific desert. In 1965, however, new developments took place stimulated in part by the Chinese Communists’ successful testing of a nuclear weapon in 1964. In addition, several key American advisers made important inputs. Yet even then and despite some budget increases, science in Taiwan remained a backwater. A second “propitious” moment occurred during the 1970s as Taiwan left the United Nations and many countries recognized the People’s Republic. At the same time, Chiang Ching-kuo, a very different leader from his father Chiang Kai-shek, came to the fore. Thus, in 1978 another advance took place. It should be noted that when Chiang Ching-kuo became president in May 1978, Sun Yun-suan also became Premier. Although Greene mentions the importance of domestic politics, she underestimates the contribution of this new leadership team. J OF CHIN POLIT SCI (2011) 16:115–116 DOI 10.1007/s11366-010-9136-9