Abstract
Taiwan has become a full-fledged democracy. But democracy has failed to reduce social divisions and partisan confrontation in Taiwan. In fact, some observers have begun to use the terms ‘suicide’ or ‘self-destruction’ to describe Taiwan’s political development. This article studies the problems in Taiwan’s democracy, and argues that the key problem is Taiwan’s division in terms of national identity. Hence, democracy has become a disintegrating factor for Taiwan’s society. The article further suggests that the island is playing an asymmetrical game against a rising China, and internal quarrels further weaken Taiwan. Taiwan’s national security faces serious challenges ahead, but the internal division is the factor which is fatal to Taiwan’s survival.