Segregation or Convergence? Changes of Political Attitudes of Members of ROC Armed Forces during the Process of Democratization
Yi-Ming Yu (pdf file)
Abstract
Soldiers are civil servants in a broad sense, and the military often plays a key role in the process of democratization. Therefore, the changes of soldiers’ political attitudes during the democratization process have become an important indicator of democratic transition. This study analyzed 16 years of changes in the soldiers’ political attitudes using empirical data from surveys conducted in 1999, 2003, 2010, and 2014. The results indicated that, apart from a decline in the sense of civic duty during the democratization process, ruling party alternations did not substantially affect other aspects of political attitudes of the Republic of China Armed Forces. Among soldiers, political attitudes towards the role of citizens were found to be consistent with those held by civilians, while differences were observed in the two groups’ political attitudes towards the role of soldiers. Despite the soldiers’ generally low level of trust in politicians, the military continues to play its role as a protector of democracy under the concept of civilian control of the military.
Keywords: civil supremacy, democracy consolidation, civilian control, Civil-Military Relations, political development