Distinctive economic anxiety and cultural backlash in Taiwan: two key dimensions driving the rise of populism in Taiwan

This paper critically reviews Taiwan-related literature to address a notable gap: an analysis of how populism is driven in Taiwan. To this end, the paper proposes a novel theoretical framework that centers on two key dimensions: economic anxiety and cultural backlash. Economic anxiety stems from the Taiwanese public’s economic insecurity and polarized views on cross-strait economic dependence. Cultural backlash involves Taiwanese natives’ historical resistance and the institutionalization of Taiwan’s civic nationalism, fostering a clear “Taiwanese vs. Chinese” populist antagonism. These economic and cultural dimensions are identified as the main drivers of populism’s rise in Taiwan. By synthesizing existing literature and introducing this economic-cultural framework, this paper offers a comprehensive understanding of populism’s interplay with Taiwan’s political-social context, providing a valuable tool for future research on populist messaging in Taiwan.