Martial law was imposed by the Kuomintang government in 1949 soon after it retreated from the Chinese mainland and resettled on Taiwan. The imposition of martial law was to prevent the Chinese Communists from coming to Taiwan. The authoritarian rule, however, hindered the developments of civil liberty and human rights in Taiwan. As far as the KMT was concerned, when many countries went to follow Stalinist socialism during the early years after the end of World War II, imposing martial law was a matter of survival.
Even though such a measure helped bring domestic stability and economic developments to Taiwan, it could not meet the demands of the vigorous civil society in Taiwan. In addition, as with martial laws implemented elsewhere in the world, the authoritarian system in Taiwan also created some painful side effects during the 38 years of martial-law period, as recounted in volumes of history books, memoirs and novels.
In terms of political culture, lifting martial law by the KMT represented not only a liberation from restrictions and bondages imposed by its authoritarian past, but also the first rays of the dawn of democratic rule. This is an experience Taiwan shares with many countries around the world, especially in Latin America, Eastern Europe and elsewhere in Asia, but unfortunately, not yet with China.
Around the world, one authoritarian regime after another has been replaced by open, transparent and pluralistic systems marked by free and fair elections. These, of necessity, required the development of multiparty systems, rule of law, and promotion of human rights, social welfare and health care for all citizens. From these beginnings, further economic, political, educational and cultural reforms grew.
Taiwan also experienced these developments--often referred to as the "third wave of democracy" or "democratic consolidation"--during the past two decades. Despite the continuing threat from China and the emergence of complex domestic politics, Taiwan has shown the world that the struggle to end martial law and establish genuine democracy was worth the sweat and tears Taiwanese people spilled to create a free and better life for generations to come.
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