Taiwan's 2001 Legislative, Magistrates and Mayors Election: Further Consolidating Democracy?

In December 2001, Taiwan held an election that was said to have consolidated its democracy. This election made chen Shui-Bian's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) the largest party in the legislature, and gave him an opportunity to implement his agenda - which he had not been able to do previously due to the opposition's large legislative majority and ensuing political gridlock.

This book examines the political milieu in which the campaign was conducted, including candidates, party platforms and strategies, the campaign and the results of the election. It also assesses the domestic and international responses to the election and its political ramifications.

The author argues that the DPP's tactics were questioned by many, thus diminishing its otherwise significant victory, while creating doubts about Taiwan's "political miracle". The KMT lost badly. The People First Party, created by James Soong after the 2000 Presidential election, performed very well. Former President Lee Teng-Hui helped found a new party shortly before this election, likely to help Chen by drawing support away from the KMT. This party, the NPP, performed well.