A Postscript on Taiwanese Welfare Development after 1990

Abstract

Taiwan in the 1990s is facing political, economic, and social change. Political democratization has created an environment in which varied issues can be propounded, discussed and debated among different groups in various social settings, including television programmes. Economic globalization means that seeking to join international organizations like GATT, WTO and APEC is the most important strategy adopted by the KMT to surmount the political isolation forced on Taiwan by China, and also to promote further economic development in the competitive world market, especially under the shadow of large and area economies. Social reform is proceeding with the significant development of state welfare provision not only through the National Health Insurance Scheme but also in a pension policy. These became important elements in Taiwan’s profile after 1990.