Democratisation
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The democratisation among many former authoritarian states has been a significant development in world politics over the last decade. From regions in Africa and Asia to Latin America and Southern Europe, democracy has become a desired form of political rule. In many cases, democracy has been a result of economic development and liberalisation in trade and commerce. This essay will focus on China and Taiwan and how economic developments have resulted in political liberalisation.
Modern China is an enigmatic country by today's standards concerning economic values and political ideals. The communist government that Mao Zedong brutally sculpted and administered has gone through intensive transformation. The days when Marxism and Socialism supposedly provided guidelines for Chinese economic policies have passed. Now the government exists as a quasi-communist authoritarian regime supported by a market economy. Economic progress is commonly associated with democratisation, and in many cases this theory holds true. Taiwan is the exemplary East Asian model of a formerly authoritarian regime turned democratic due in part to economic development...