The Origins and Consequences of Electoral Reform in Taiwan

Abstract

Taiwan adopted a new electoral system in 2005, and the new mixed-member majoritarian system was first used in the Legislative Yuan election of January 2008. As might be expected, the new system benefits the large parties, particularly the largest one, at the expense of the small parties. Indeed, the Kuomintang (KMT) emerged as the main beneficiary of the new system. And given the relative stability of the cleavage structure underpinning the party configuration in Taiwan, as long as the electoral system remains intact the KMT may continue to dominate Taiwan`s electoral politics, particularly parliamentary elections, in the years to come unless something drastic (e.g., a split in the party) takes place.