| This researcher attempts to explain Taiwan's democratic transition in the Chiang Ching-kuo's era. The author focuses on the investigation of the forces that drove CCK to embark on political reform and that led Taiwan onto a trajectory of democracy.;This researcher has come up with several findings. CCK's launching of democratic reforms was driven by internal and external forces.;About internal factors, the opposition gathered its power together to challenge the KMT's authoritarian rule. They demand democratic reform by ways of publishing dangwai periodicals, organizing opposition parties, and mobilizing mass movements. The KMT liberals endeavored to improve human rights, freedom, and democracy in Taiwan in various ways. Problems within the KMT that accelerated the decline of the KMT's prestige and cut short public trust in his rule and that might cause its internal factions motivated CCK to reform the KMT. Strong voices advocating visits to the mainland and legalization of indirect trade between Taiwan and China showed that martial law did not fit for the changing society of Taiwan.;On external factors, the international community influenced Taiwan's democratic development by promoting human rights in Taiwan and supporting political competition between the KMT and its opponents. The intervention of the United States was a major contribution to Taiwan's transition to democracy. The Taiwanese democratic movements in Japan and the United States attracted the attention of the U.S. State Department and Congress, as well as international societies and human rights organizations, and then obtained their support. The democratization in the Philippines and South Korea encouraged the opposition, and it made CCK realize that the trend toward democracy in the world could not be stopped. In terms of antagonistic relationships between Taiwan and the PRC, CCK thought that building Taiwan as a democratic country was a peaceful way and the only way to reunite China.;Finally, CCK's insight and wisdom to adjust himself to the changes of internal and external situations were also important factors that made the peaceful transition possible. |
