Democratization and the Environment: Entrepreneurial Politics and Interest Representation in Taiwan

Abstract

"Democratization in Taiwan has created both opportunities and obstacles for groups representing diffuse interests to influence environmental policy. On the one hand, electoral competition, together with political struggle for leadership succession in the ruling party, has led to increased influences of concentrated business interests in policy making. On the other hand, democratization has also enabled and encouraged groups representing environmental interests of the diffuse public to battle against concentrated business interests by bringing freedom of association and more open political processes to Taiwan. As illustrated by two case studies—the anti-golf movement and the Kuan-tu Nature Park—environmental groups are more likely to win if they can mobilize sufficient support from the general public and press their cause through political channels that are more open to the public's scrutiny. These groups are less effective when the public lacks information about the nature of the particular environmental problem, concentrated business groups wield greater influence through their close connections with politicians, and there is a lack of institutional channels to challenge government decisions. To further consolidate democracy in Taiwan, institutional channels need to be strengthened to encourage more entrepreneurial politics at various levels of the political system."