Asia’s Democratic Promise

Speech introduction

Once thought to be inhospitable to democracy, several Asian countries have successfully democratized in the postwar period, deepening their democracies while continuing to economically modernize. Countries like Taiwan, South Korea, postwar Japan and others in Southeast Asia demonstrate the connection between democracy and development. And yet, unlike in many other regions of the world, democratic transformation in Asia has unfolded in a distinctive way – rather than emerge from the ashes of collapsed authoritarianism, democracy was introduced by relatively strong autocratic regimes. Contentious politics and courageous opposition prompted the ancien regimes to consider “democracy through strength.” Drawing on his most recent book (co-authored with Dan Slater), From Development to Democracy: the Transformations of Modern Asia (Princeton University Press, 2022), as well as from over two decades of research on the region, Professor Wong offers an optimistic take on the prospects of democracy in Asia; the imperative for autocratic regimes – such as the CCP in the China – to democratize sooner rather than later; and the leading role that Taiwan plays in illuminating the challenges but ultimately the promise of Asia’s democratic future.

About Joseph Wong

Professor Joseph Wong is a Professor of Political Science and Vice President at the University of Toronto. He previously served as the Director of the University’s Asian Institute. His research interests include comparative public policy and political economy, with a deep focus on democratic transitions in Asia. He is the author of From Development to Democracy: The Transformations of Modern Asia, Betting on Biotech: Innovation and the Limits of Asia’s Developmental State, and Healthy Democracies: Welfare Politics in Taiwan and South Korea.