Taiwanese Identity and Democracy (PDF)

OLWEN BEDFORD works with the Institute of Indigenous Research at National Taiwan University.

KWANG-KWO HWANG is a National Chair Professor at National Taiwan University.

"Taiwanese Identity and Democracy is a well-documented and clearly written story of political controversy and cover-up. The social psychological expertise of the authors turns a flood light of illumination on the dark corners of Taiwan's history and contemporary controversies, showing both the success and failures of attempts to influence public opinion and political authority. The reader will gain a carefully documented perspective that will help develop an informed opinion of the 'real' Taiwanese identity." - Paul B. Pedersen, Professor Emeritus, Syracuse University, Visiting Professor Univ of Hawaii, Dept of Psychology "Informative and insightful, Bedford and Hwang's work Taiwanese Identity and Democracy captures the complexities, issues, inconsistencies, and challenges faced in Taiwan's recent 2004 presidential elections. Utilizing the standpoint of a socio-cultural perspective, they explore the strategies and practices used by both parties throughout the contested election, as well as the motivation and reasoning behind the pan-blue's continuing inability to admit defeat. Readers see the ongoing hurdles and obstacles that Taiwan faces in both establishing a democracy and forging a national identity." - Jerome F. Keating, Ph.D., Associate Professor, National Taipei University of Education, and author of Taiwan: The Struggles of a Democracy