Religion and Politics in TaiwanSee also China. 1. Brief Introduction 1. Brief Introduction to Religion and Politics in Taiwan Taiwan has a population of just over 23 million with a .19% population growth rate (July 2011 est). It had a 2010 CPI rating of 5.8, making it less corrupt than China (3.5), closer to South Korea (5.4), but more than Japan (7.8), Hong Kong (8.4) or Singapore (9.3). Note the corruption problems of recent presidents. The CIA Factbook lists the island as 93% mixed Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist religions, 4.5% Christian, and 2.5% other. Religiously Taiwan belongs to Southeast China with its Buddhist, Daoist, and local temple traditions amid neo-Confucian society. According to Weller (below), Buddhism, Christianity, Daoism, Yi Guan Dao, and folk religions all contribute to social cohesion. He identifies the Buddhist Compassionate Relief Merit Society (Tzu Chi Foundation) as the island’s largest civic organization. Katz (below) documents the strong growth of local cults, their Mainland connections, and the fact that economic and technological progress has not hurt religion. So the major religious significance of religion in Taiwan, like Hong Kong, concerns its vigorous social character in a very developed Chinese economy, and the role of engaged Buddhism in such a revival. Protestantism appealed to long-resident Taiwanese-speakers and Catholicism mostly to Mainlanders who came to the island after the defeat of the Nationalists in the Chinese Civil War. The U.S. Catholic Maryknoll Society, however, learned Taiwanese and ministered principally to the Taiwanese and to the Hakka. The Presbyterian Church, especially Tainan Theological College, developed a long tradition of supporting the Taiwanese during their suppression by the Mainlanders. The Nationalists (KMT) of Chiang Kai-shek (d. 1975) ran the island as a party dictatorship until the late 1980s when the system was democratized. Since that time the KMT and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have fought to lead the government. The DPP’s Chen Shui-bian was elected in March 2000, and reelected over the KMT’s Lien Chan in 2004 with 50.1 percent of the vote. However, the coalition of the KMT, People’s First Party (PFP) and Chinese New Party (NP) has held a slight majority in the Legislative Yuan, thus checking steps which might be perceived as anti-Beijing like the buying of $18 billion dollars of U.S. weapons systems. The major global political issue concerns the very complicated relations between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan. While the DPP and its coalition partner, the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), want to push forward on independence, the KMT coalition and many business interests do not. In fact, more than one million Taiwanese returned from the Mainland to vote, most for Lien, in the 2004 presidential election. The United States has also warned President Chen to be careful. In the January 2008 elections the KMT won 81 seats in the 113-seat Legistlative Yuan, with the DPP second at 27 seats. KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou won the presidency in March with 58.45% of the vote. Both referendums calling for Taiwan to apply to the U.N. (one from the DPP and one from the KMT) failed to get 50% of the vote as the KMT called for a boycott of those items. In August 2009 Typhoon Morakot hit the island causing massive damage and loss of life. Premier Liu resigned to take responsibility for the inadequate government response. On June 29, 2010, China and Taiwan signed the cross-straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), the most far-reaching economic pact between the two entities since 1949. Ratification of the agreement has become a source of significant tension between the KMT and the DPP, since the latter and other independence parties fear its political repercussions. The Taiwanese parliament must ratify the agreement. Hanson (2006) discusses “China and Japan: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Maoism.” (pp. 111-19); and “The Future of East Asia in the EMC Systems” (pp. 188-97). 2. A Short Introductory Course to Religion and Politics in Taiwan Madsen shows how humanistic Buddhism and Daoism have adopted Confucianist values to support democratization and the religious needs of the middle class in Taiwan, a phenomenon crucial to current Chinese religion and global Buddhism. Wright contrasts the student roles in China’s Tiananmen Movement of 1989 and Taiwan’s democratization movement of 1990. Weller also shows how religion has contributed to Taiwan’s civic culture, making democracy easier. Katz gives a fine summary of the relationship of religion and the state during the postwar period. Lewis and Xue illuminate the geostratic position of the island in China's thinking. Madsen, Richard. Democracy's Dharma: Religious Renaissance and Political Development in Taiwan (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007). Fine combination of original research and comparative analysis of the social roots of democratization. The four organizational examples are Tzu Chi (nun Cheng Yen), Buddha's Light Mountain (monk Hsing Yun), Dharma Drum Mountain (monk Sheng Yen), and the Daoist Enacting Heaven Temple (businessman founder Hsuan Kung). Wright, Teresa. The Perils of Protest: State Repression and Student Activism in China and Taiwan (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2001). Weller, Robert P. Alternate Civilities: Democracy and Culture in China and Taiwan (Boulder, Co.: Westview Press, 1999). Katz, Paul R., “Religion and the State in Post-war Taiwan,” in The China Quarterly (June 2003). Lewis, John Wilson, and Xue, Litai. Imagined Enemies: China Prepares for Uncertain War. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2006. 3. Other Key Resource Materials for Religion and Politics in Taiwan See January-February Asian Survey for annual summaries of politics in Taiwan. Barnes, Nancy J., “Buddhist Women and the Nuns’ Order in Asia,” in Queen, Christopher S., and King, Sallie B., eds. Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia (Albany, NY: SUNY, 1996), 259-94. This article discusses women religious and the movement to reestablish the bhikshuni sangra [ordained women mendicantes] in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Tibet, and the Chinese tradition. Monks and laity in the Theravada countries oppose full ordination, but have developed other women’s organizations: the dasa sil matavo in Sri Lanka, the mae ji in Thailand, and the thila-shin in Thailand. Taiwan has fostered the bhikshuni sangra as part of its Buddhist revival. The role of the male bhikshu sangra as “fields of merit” is important to both monks and laity, especially in the rural areas. The China Quarterly 174 (June 2003), Special issue on “Religion in China Today.” Hanson, Eric O. Catholic Politics in China and Korea (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1980). Huang, C. Julia, “The Buddhist Tzu-Chi foundation of Taiwan,” in Queen, Christopher, Prebish, Charles, and Keown, Damien. Action Dharma: New Studies in Engaged Buddhism (London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003). Jones, Charles Brewer. Buddhism in Taiwan: Religion and the State, 1660-1990 (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1999). Rigger, Shelley. From Opposition to Power: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2001). Yang, C.K. Religion in Chinese Society (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1961). 4. Recent News Articles on Taiwan “In Taiwan Ballot, Ties With Beijing Seem to Be a Winner,” New York Times, December 12, 2004. In elections for Legislative Yuan, coalition of KMT and People First Party (PFP) maintain control over president’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU). Next elections December 2007. “Beijing turns up threat on Taiwan over secession,” San Jose Mercury News, March 14, 2005. China’s NPC passes anti-secession law one day after Hu Jintao took over the Central Military Commission. Wen Jiabao sought to play up law’s call for greater economic and cultural exchanges, not military threat. “60 Years Later, China Enemies End Their War,” New York Times, April 30, 2005. Taiwan KMT Leader Lien Chan welcomed by Hu Jintao in Beijing. Great front-page photo. “Opposition takes Taiwan elections,” San Jose Mercury News, December 4, 2005. Municipal elections victories for KMT under new chair, Harvard-educated Ma Ying-jeou. Interview with Ma in March 29, 2006 San Jose Mercury News. “Taiwan’s Leader Defies Beijing’s Warnings,” New York Times, February 28, 2006. President Chen announces demise of unification council and guidelines, despite warnings from China and U.S. “Taiwan urged to resist China’s annexation bid,” San Jose Mercury News, March 19, 2006. 50,000-100,000 attend “Protect democracy, oppose annexation” rally to protest anti-secession law anniversary. Less than a week earlier 40,000 KMT supporters held rally accusing President Chen of increasing tensions. “Taiwan details plans for national security,” San Jose Mercury News, May 21, 2006. National defense guidelines, including 20 percent spending increase and cut from 300,000 to 200,000 over next two years. President Chen still wants to buy $18 billion weapons package from U.S., but KMT-led Legislative Yuan will not approve. “Protestors Fuel a Long-Shot Bid to Oust Taiwan’s Leader,” New York Times, September 28, 2006. Demonstration led by long-time democracy and independence activist Shih Ming-teh, using the color red. Corruption by President Chen, wife, and supporters. “Taiwan’s Leader Admits Lies, But Says He Won’t Step Down,” New York Times, November 6, 2006. Chen apologizes in national address. "Corruption Scandal at Top Tests Taiwan's Democracy," New York Times, November 25, 2006. "[A] virtual death watch has settled over the second term of Chen Shui-bian. Excellent summary of the entire mess. "Ex-Taiwanese premier leads party's vote for president," San Jose Mercury News, May 7, 2007. Ex-premier and mayor of Kaohsiung wins first round of Democratic Progressive Party's nomination. Principal opponent bows out of second round. Frank Hsieh much more flexible on China policy than President Chen. He will face ex-Taipei Mayor and Harvard-trained lawyer, Ma Ying-jeou, in March presidential contest. "Taiwan Elects Leader Who Seeks Closer Mainland Ties," New York Times, March 23, 2008. Harvard-educated lawyer Ma Ying-jeou, who has called for closer economic (not political) links to the Mainland, is elected. Election focused on the economy. While the Taiwan economy grew 5.7% last year, middle and working-class incomes have stagnated. Election turnout was 75.7%, which help Ma. "Corruption Trial Begins for Ex-President of Taiwan, Who Calls It a Political Plot," New York Times, March 27, 2009. Chen had resigned from the DPP in August 2008 after admitting that his wife had wired $21 million in campaign funds out of the country. That summer Chen was sentenced to life in prison and many family members were also convicted. Chen continued to charge that his trial was a government plot to curry favor with Beijing. "Premier of Taiwan Steps Down," New York Times, September 8, 2009. Premier Liu Chao-shiuan resigns to take responsibility for government's poor handling of Typhoon Morakot. He is succeeded by Wu Den-yih, Taiwanese KMT secretary general and former mayor of Kaohsiung. "Former Taiwan President Is Given a Life Sentence," New York Times, September 12, 2009. Chen and his wife are sentenced to life in prison. "Ex-President of Taiwan Is Charged With Graft," New York Times, July 1, 2011. Lee Teng-hui became the second ex-president to be charged with corruption, in this case using a National Security Fund to build the Taiwan Research Institute, which became his office after he stepped down. "A Reunited Painting Stirs Big Thoughts in China and Taiwan," New York Times, July 6, 2011. "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" had been split into two parts in the seventeenth century. The two parts are reunited at Taiwan's National Palace Museum as a metaphor for Taiwan and China. As many as 10,000 are viewing it daily. For the first time this week a planeload of Chinese tourists will be allowed to visit Taiwan unsupervised. Credit: some religious considerations from SCU student Karen Chou’s term paper, May 2005. Website editor retains all responsibility for mistakes in interpretation. August 17, 2001. |
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