Movement Strategy in Taiwan’s Judicial-reform Movement

• In Event: 474 - Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 08. Institutions, Opportunities, and Change

Abstract

Judicial-independence reform in Taiwan was pioneered by a group of reform-spirited judges from Room 303 in the Taichung District Court in 1993. Rather than join the mass movement unfolding on the streets, the reformers formed a coalition with other judges to trigger reform within the judiciary. The reformers appealed to the rule of law and democracy as a movement strategy for mobilization. As a result, the movement strategy turned out to be a great success, and Room 303 became the chief engine for further judicial reforms in the following years. However, the movement strategy in itself also presents some limitations. This paper examines why the movement strategy was successful and how its limitations eventually created problems for further judicial reforms in Taiwan.

Author

• Chin-shou Wang, National Cheng Kung University