Politics of Taiwan
Taiwan's politics evolved from authoritarian rule to a full democracy.
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is governed under a framework of a representative democratic republic with a five-power system. Its political system has evolved from an authoritarian one-party state under the Kuomintang (KMT) to a full democracy, as rated by international indices. The island's politics are shaped by its contested sovereignty, with the People's Republic of China threatening war if Taiwan formalizes independence.
- Capital
- Taipei
- Government type
- Representative democratic republic under a five-power system
- Head of state
- President
- Head of government
- Premier
- Ruling party since 2016
- Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
Lore & Background
After democratization in the 1990s, new political parties became legal, and restrictions on free speech and civil rights were lifted.
Reader's Guide
The government operates under a de facto semi-presidential system with five branches (Yuan) modeled on Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People. The president appoints the premier without legislative consent, but the legislature can pass laws without presidential veto, leading to potential deadlock when opposing parties control different branches. However, the National Assembly has not altered nominal national borders, as doing so might be viewed as a prelude to formal Taiwanese independence, which the People's Republic of China has threatened to oppose with war under its Anti-Secession Law. The legacy of strongman one-party politics under the Chiangs has concentrated executive power in the presidency rather than the premiership.
Did You Know?
- Taiwan's political system is based on a five-power system with five branches: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Examination, and Control Yuan.
- Amending the constitution requires approval of three-fourths of the quorum of the Legislative Yuan and ratification by at least 50% of all eligible voters.
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