Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Preface 1. Introduction Theories of Religion and Democracy Research Methodology Changing Political and Religious Environment 2. Taiwanese Buddhism General Description The Buddha Light Mountain Buddhist Compassion Relief Ciji Foundation The Dharma Drum Mountain The Zhongtai Zen Monastery Other Buddhists 3. Christianity General Description The Presbyterians The Baptists The Local Church Other Denominations 4. Daoism and Folk Religions Definition Daoism Yiguandao The Mazu Belief 5. Statistical Analysis (with Kuan Ping-yin) Taiwan's Religious Profile Religion and Party Preference Religion and Democratic Values Religion and Democratic Behavior Comparison of Taiwanese Believers Comparing Taiwanese and Korean Believers 6. Conclusion Summary and Comparison Methodological, Theoretical, and Practical Implications Notes Glossary Bibliography Index

About the Author

Cheng-tian Kuo is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Graduate Institute of Religious Studies at the National Chengchi University in Taiwan. He is the author of Global Competitiveness and Industrial Growth in Taiwan and the Philippines and Economic Regimes and National Performance in the World Economy: Taiwan and the Philippines.

Reviews

"...convincingly argues that religions do matter, but their actual roles depend on their beliefs, organizations, and interaction with state ... raise[s] important questions pertaining to our understanding of religious traditions in China today, as well as their role in China's modernization during the Republican era." - China Quarterly "...an important and timely contribution not only to the study of politics in Taiwan but to comparative politics in general ... the author gives an excellent overview of the religious scene in Taiwan." - Journal of Chinese Religions "This is a timely and important addition to the existing scholarship on religion, democracy, and Asian politics." - Dennis Van Vranken Hickey, author of Foreign Policy Making in Taiwan: From Principle to Pragmatism