A strategy for accelerated development : a case study of Taiwan

Abstract

Taiwan's rapid economic development over the past four decades has been seen as a "miracle." How Taiwan was able to achieve this economic miracle has been a topic for discussion for a long time. The purpose of this thesis is to examine Taiwan's economic development and the role of the Taiwanese government bringing about this economic success with respect to modernization theory and the state-centered approach. Taiwan's rapid economic development cannot be simply explained by a single theory or perspective because Taiwan's economic development is more complex than any single theory or perspective would predict. Although Taiwan's rapid economic development could be explained as a series of modernizing processes, it is necessary to put the Taiwanese government in a pivotal position when we try to understand Taiwan's economic development clearly. Finally, in the chapter entitled "Taiwanese Miracle or Efficient Strategies?" whether or not Taiwan's economic development serves as a model for other developing countries to learn from will be discussed.