Pensionreform in Taiwan: The Role of Political Competition and Media Discourse (Pensionsreform in Taiwan: Die Bedeutung von Politischem Wettbewerb und Medialem Diskurs)

Abstract:     
This study looks in greater detail at the causal relationship between political competition and the extension of social policy programs and welfare entitlements, with special reference to the influence of media discourse. The case study analyses the issue of pension reform in Taiwan during the era of Chen Shui-bian as President including the pre-election phase. The study concludes that political competition (and not democracy as a whole) between candidates and politicians of both the own and other political parties is causally related to the extension of social policy, as this study has (once again) proven the vital connection empirically. Moreover, is has been shown that media discourse has the quality of intensifying this political competition, and even intervenes in social policy action, with the media becoming an outside actor in social policy making.

Note: Downloadable Document is in German.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 16

Keywords: Taiwan, theory of social policy, pension reform, media discourse

JEL Classification: H55, I00, I18

working papers series