Presidential Approval in Taiwan:An Analysis of Survey Data in the Ma Ying-jeou Presidency

Abstract

Presidential popularity is the “causal agent” of presidential effectiveness. High approval ratings mean more power and greater ability to govern. Taiwan`s President Ma Ying-jeou enjoyed high approval ratings when he was elected in 2008, but his popularity declined rapidly soon after, to about 14%. How do Taiwan citizens evaluate their presidents? What factors help to explain the Ma`s declining popularity during his presidency? Consistent with conventional wisdom, this study finds that the country`s overall economic conditions play a vital role in the popularity of Taiwan`s president. Closely following is citizens` evaluation of the president`s ability in managing cross-Strait relationship, national defense, and diplomacy. Ma`s staffing of key cabinet positions has also had an effect on his popularity, which is unusual in the study of presidential approval. The personal integrity of the president, a trait that Ma has emphasized strongly, has not had a positive effect on his declining popularity in Taiwan.