Digital Democracy in a “Black-Box” Regime: The Conservative Origins of Taiwan's Open Government Policy, 2011–2016
Terrence Ting-Yen Chen · 2025
Abstract Purpose – This chapter investigates the paradoxical origins of Taiwan’s digital democracy initiatives, particularly during the Kuomintang (KMT) government from 2011 to 2016. Despite the KMT’s reputation for opaque decision-making and limited democratic participation, this period saw significant advancements in open government policies. Methodology/approach – The analysis is based on interviews with key officials, civil society actors, and scholars involved in Taiwan’s digital democracy efforts, alongside an examination of relevant public documents. Findings – The study reveals that the KMT government’s promotion of digital democracy was driven by four key factors: globally embedded bureaucrats, profit motivation, the elites’ conception of democracy focused on transparency rather than participation, and a reaction to the 2014 Sunflower Movement. These factors led to an open government policy that emphasized monitorial democracy and neoliberal citizenship, with limited civil society engagement. Originality/value – This chapter offers a nuanced understanding of Taiwan’s digital democracy by examining the less-explored origins of its open government policies. It challenges the assumption that these initiatives inherently support participatory democracy, highlighting the complexities in their implementation under conservative governments.