2022/08/23 |
The Real Problem With Taiwan’s Plagiarism Scandals
The focus on educational background in Taiwan’s electoral politics closes paths to office for the many without the power or money to gain degrees from elite institutions — illicitly or not.
2022/04/07 |
Taiwan’s Political Culture As Expressed in an Absurd Ad
As old political slogans and tropes lose their cache, viral fame has become the coin of the realm for politicians and politically-minded comedians alike.
2022/02/24 |
Reading Putin’s Speech From Taiwan
Putin’s speech on the war’s eve expressed an incoherence that leaves China in an awkward position vis-a-vis its claims on Taiwan.
2022/01/10 |
Gangster Political Dynasties, Vote Buying, and…Cabbages
Cabbage gifts to constituents may not be equivalent to vote buying. But they do speak of a culture that has not yet been extinguished in Taiwan.
2021/09/17 |
Twilight of the Idols: Why We Should Replace the Statue of Chiang Kai-Shek in the CKS Memorial with Zongchai
Zongchai is something of an everyman — or everydog, and therefore the ideal replacement for Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
2021/06/11 |
The KMT’s Twitter is a Dumpster Fire
Taiwan’s main opposition party, the KMT, accused Singaporean dissident Roy Ngerng of being an “extreme white supremacist” on Twitter. Patently false and absurd as it is, the charge adheres to the logic of a moribund institution.
2021/04/28 |
KMT Divided Over God-Status of Founder Sun Yat-sen
A KMT central standing committee member said Sun Yat-sen was deified after death. Other KMT politicians don't think so.
2021/02/08 |
Is the Success of PUI PUI Guinea Pig Cars Because of Capitalism?
The appeal of the children’s show PUI PUI Guinea Pig Cars cannot be denied. It may be a sign of discontent with capitalism in Taiwan.
2021/02/01 |
What Does a Trending T-shirt Say About Taiwanese Identity and Politics?
りしれ供さ小, pronounced lí sī-leh kóng-siánn-siâu, would be a Taiwanese Hokkien phrase meaning “The heck are you saying?” Here’s what its ubiquity signals about Taiwan’s youth culture.
2020/09/15 |
Let a Hundred Collectives Bloom!
A seemingly endless stream of parody accounts of a pro-Chinese Communist Party group called Qiao Collective appeared on Twitter. Here's the backstory.
2020/08/28 |
How Trump and Biden Differ on Taiwan
No matter who wins in November, the U.S.-Taiwan relationship will remain a relationship of convenience.
2020/07/31 |
Lee Teng-hui's Complicated Legacy Spans a Century of Taiwanese History
Like the history of Taiwan, Lee Teng-hui's life went through several political and ideological twists and turns. But the only thing that remained consistent was his advocacy of Taiwanese sovereignty.
2020/07/23 |
Brian Tseng Controversy Reveals Anxieties Beneath Taiwan's Politics
The Night Night Show, hosted by Brian Tseng, has accepted money from presidential candidates to appear as guests. The ensuing controversy reveals anxieties about Taiwan's entertainment and democratic cultures.
2020/05/22 |
Will Taiwan Still Be the 'Orphan of Asia' After Covid-19?
“As the world burns, Taiwan soldiers on” is our collective experience of the pandemic. Will this make Taiwan even more isolated or connected than before?
2019/04/18 |
Terry Gou Invokes Sea Goddess Mazu, Announces Run for President
The Foxconn founder and chairman threw his hat into the KMT presidential primary yesterday.
2019/03/27 |
DPP and KMT Presidential Controversies Reveal Depth of Party Factionalism
Both of Taiwan's major political parties face contentious presidential primaries in the coming months.
2019/03/25 |
Daguan Residents Remain Threatened Despite Temporary Halt to Demolition
A temporary halt to the demolition of Daguan Community, a military dependents village in New Taipei, has not answered the question of what comes next for its residents.
2019/03/19 |
5 Years Later, What Is the Legacy of Taiwan's Sunflower Movement?
The spell of the Sunflower Movement may appear to have faded, but it has had a lasting impact on Taiwan.