{"title":"Information and Ideological Structure in Spatial Voting","authors":"Tse-min Lin","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201107.0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201107.0001","url":null,"abstract":"This article aims at unifying the theory of spatial voting and the theory that is variously called conceptualization, information, or sophistication. Following Downs's early insights on uncertainty as well as recent developments in both literatures, I argue that it is of critical importance that spatial voting models explicitly incorporate information effects. For this purpose, I develop a heteroskedastic probit model that allows for the specification of information heterogeneity. This model is applied to the Taiwan Election and Democratization Study's 2004 post-presidential election survey data. In 2004, Taiwan’s political landscape was dominantly defined by the Green vs. Blue ideological cleavage, and the candidates were perceived as taking divergent positions. This article investigates the effects of information and activism on the spatial structure and their implications on candidates' strategies. My findings confirm the existence of these effects on voter uncertainty in the framework of spatial analysis.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"353 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122763786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does Forced Democratization Work","authors":"S. Walker","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201107.0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201107.0004","url":null,"abstract":"Over the past seven decades, democratic powers, led by the United States, have attempted to bring about democracy through external military imposition. While research to date has generally pointed toward the conclusion that such efforts are often not successful in effecting full-fledged democracy, studies almost exclusively have focused on how interventions have affected institutional measures of democracy in target countries (as opposed to political rights or political competitiveness). In addition, such studies have not recognized that there is more than one way to denote a democratizing intervention. I find that, regardless of what measure of democracy one uses, attempts to force democracy are generally not successful. However, ”success” also depends to a degree upon how one chooses to define attempts at forced democratization. This research reinforces existing research, indicating that democratizing interventions are rarely found to result in healthy consolidated democracies over the long term.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"44 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134025395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Whose Bandwagon Is It Anyway? Empirical Findings from Taiwanese (ROC) Magistrates","authors":"N. Peng, Huei-En Peng, Annie Chen","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201107.0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201107.0006","url":null,"abstract":"As the effectiveness of short-term campaigns is uncertain, politicians and campaigners are increasingly adopting permanent campaigns. In this process, midterm elections are a cost-effective vehicle for senior politicians to build relationships with local candidates while promoting their own candidacies. Previous research on celebrity endorsement and the coattail effect has primarily focused on the results of political endorsement, while overlooking the process of such activities. More importantly, few studies have addressed how local politicians perceive the embedment of their own campaign into their senior colleague’s permanent campaign. \u0000The authors of this article conducted four in-depth interviews with local officials, the transcripts of which were analyzed using an interpretive approach. Our finding highlights magistrates and mayors’ worries about being marginalized by the president. Furthermore, they believe that local affairs should be dealt with locally, and that involving the president is a sign of weakness. Theoretical and managerial implications of this research are discussed in relationship to the literature on coattail effect, endorsement strategy, and permanent campaigning.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121819108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Democracy in Norway","authors":"S. Ringen","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201012.0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201012.0003","url":null,"abstract":"In international comparative studies, the Norwegian system is consistently at the top of the range in democratic quality. However, in a scrutiny against more absolute standards of ”democraticness,” it has been found to perform less well. The strength of this system is less in lofty democratic idealism than in its down-to-earth solidity in the making of public policy, and its weakness more in democratic virtue than in public policy management. Strength is explained by historical factors, by a consistent experience of progress, and by solidity of public policy decision-making. Weakness is in what has been identified as a disruption in the democratic chain of command in constitutional institutions. Three general observations follow. First, the double set of observations-a robust democracy, comparatively, nevertheless with notable weaknesses in trends-suggests that the state of democracy in the world is far from impressive in qualitative terms. The democracies of the world, even the most established ones, are very different in quality, and democracy overall is and remains a fragile and endangered system of government. Second, is the significance of solidity in policy procedures. What other democracies can learn from the Norwegian case might primarily be the importance for democratic order and legitimacy of firm, stable, and established procedures and institutions in the system of government. Third, is the pervasive importance of the elusive quality of democratic culture. Democratic leaders have a duty not only to their voters but also to the needs of democratic systems for good governance.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"27 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133227755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does Democracy Enjoy Popular Support in East Asia","authors":"Stephen Collins","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201012.0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201012.0009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114480193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Democratic Theory and Theoretical Physics","authors":"J. Gagnon","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201012.0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201012.0001","url":null,"abstract":"This essay argues, somewhat along a Simmelian line, that democratic theory may produce practical and universal theories like those developed in theoretical physics. The reasoning behind this essay is to show that the theory of ”basic democracy” may be true by way of comparing it to Einstein's Special Relativity-specifically concerning the parameters of symmetry, unification, simplicity, and utility. These parameters are what make a theory in physics as meeting them not only fit with current knowledge, but also produce paths toward testing (application). As the theory of ”basic democracy” may meet these same parameters, it could settle the debate concerning the definition of democracy. This will be argued first by discussing what the theory of ”basic democracy” is and why it differs from previous work: second, by explaining the parameters chosen (as in why these and not others confirm or scuttle theories): and third, by comparing how Special Relativity and the theory of ”basic democracy” may match the parameters.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"120 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128069176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Southeast Asia: A Sui Generis Case on the Study of Political Islam and Democratization?","authors":"S. Regilme","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201012.0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201012.0010","url":null,"abstract":"Book Review: Johan Saravanamuttu, ed., Islam and Politics in Southeast Asia (London and New York: Routledge, 2010), 188 pages.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128904144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Democracy and Democratization in Finland Perspectives from Outside and Inside","authors":"Maija Setälä","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201012.0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201012.0004","url":null,"abstract":"This article deals with democracy and democratization in Finland. In particular, it raises the question whether Finland can be considered an ”immanent democracy.” According to O'Donnell and Whitehead, immanent democracies are a subset of consolidated democracies. In immanent democracies, the democratic credentials of the country are considered self-evident: the idea of democracy is a central element of national self-understanding. In O'Donnell and Whitehead's account, the immanence of democracy has to do with the perspective ”from inside, looking out.” rather than the perspective of a comparative researcher of democratization which is ”from outside, looking in.” The essay describes the process of democratic consolidation in Finland, paying attention to the relapses of democracy, especially during the postwar era. The essay also examines how Finns perceive their own democracy. Although support for democracy is currently very high in Finland, the consensual patterns of electoral competition have a negative impact on people's sense of external efficacy. Moreover, for a long time, national survival was the paramount goal in Finnish politics, and democratic norms and procedures sometimes were overlooked for the sake of this goal. Finns are very aware of the imperfections of their democracy, and for this reason, the label ”immanent democracy” may not be entirely appropriate in the case of Finland.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"241 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115593937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interfacing Elite and Mass Democratic Experiences","authors":"R. Dalton","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201012.0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201012.0008","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116698777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vote Shifting and Democratic Consolidation in East Asian Democracies Evidence from Taiwan and South Korea","authors":"Eric C. C. Chang","doi":"10.29654/TJD.201012.0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29654/TJD.201012.0005","url":null,"abstract":"Drawing on survey data from Taiwan and South Korea, this essay examines the electoral sources and democratic implications of vote shifting in these two young East Asian democracies. First, I complement the conventional Asian identity voting literature by demonstrating that vote shifting is a form of rational voting involving critical evaluations of government performance and careful weighing of policy issues. I then extend these findings by showing that determinants of vote shifting also represent critical forces conducive to citizens' support for democracy. This essay contributes to comparative democratization theory by offering a new vantage point for addressing both the electoral and attitudinal aspects of’ the democratization process.","PeriodicalId":403398,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan journal of democracy","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127486235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}