From Social-Movement Unionism to Economic Unionism

Abstract

The imposition of martial law in 1949 was originally an emergency measure of regime survival when facing the prospect of annihilation in a civil war. Over the years, the martial-law regime grew to encompass a plethora of restrictions that effectively outlawed political opposition, free press, demonstrations, and strikes. By the 1980s, as Taiwan had been widely acclaimed as one of the “Four Asian Tigers” due to its successful economy, martial-law rule appeared even more anachronistic and unbearable. The result was a nascent civil society, spearheaded by the political opposition and social movements, which mounted a sustained challenge against KMT authoritarianism (Fell 2012, 171–91; Hsiao 1992b; Ho 2010a).