The Intelligence from The Economist Tsai of the times: Taiwan’s defiant election
Jan 13, 2020
Jane Rickards, a Taiwanese politics expert, and Charles Reid, a finance and economics writer, delve into Taiwan's recent presidential election. They discuss President Tsai's victory, underscoring the electorate's strong stance against authoritarianism and their desire for closer ties with the U.S. The conversation also touches on historical trends of declining interest rates since the Middle Ages, and how this shift poses challenges for economic policy. Additionally, they explore biases in academic publishing language, especially regarding gender.
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Taiwan Election Result
- Taiwan re-elected Tsai Ing-wen, signaling a rejection of China's authoritarianism and territorial claims.
- The election highlights Taiwan's preference for democracy and closer ties with the US.
Hong Kong Protests' Impact
- Tsai Ing-wen won with a record number of votes, the highest since presidential elections began.
- The Hong Kong protests played a significant role, giving Tsai's campaign renewed vigor.
US-Taiwan Relations
- Although Tsai's victory seems like a push for closer US ties, this desire stems from a rejection of Chinese authoritarianism.
- Taiwanese people seek a superpower's protection due to widespread concern over China's influence.