Redder Than the Real Thing

To secure Chinese favor, the United States has devalued Taiwan’s quest for democracy. America’s official stance is pro-China, despite the inequality and injustice propagated by the Chinese government, says the author. Ironically, the superior form of governance is the form practiced by Taiwan, and that is the European-style social democracy, which America should appreciate more, logically speaking. As a result of good governance, Taiwan enjoys universal literacy, the freedom to access independent sources of information, a stable pension system, and social welfare programs that protect its poor. A second irony emerges, as it is the American neo-conservatives like John Bolton who are pro-Taiwan. With the official conservative stance being pro-China and with liberals ignoring rightists’ calls for Taiwanese independence, an unsurprising effect is nonchalance towards Taiwan and a pro-China attitude that is driven by the promise of economic gain. – YaleGlobal