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Polygence Scholar2024
Alex Liu's profile

Alex Liu

Class of 2025Sacramento, CA

About

Hello! I'm Alex, and I am creating a literature review focused on the role of third parties in Taiwanese politics. As a Taiwanese-American, I have been fascinated in understanding how Taiwan's government differs from the United States'-- and this project has given me the perfect opportunity to discover that. I was a live presenter at the 2024 Polygence Symposium and am seeking publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Projects

  • "Can the TPP Survive Without Ko Wen-je? Analysis of the 2024 Taiwan Elections and Beyond" with mentor Hamzah (Working project)

Alex's Symposium Presentation

Project Portfolio

Can the TPP Survive Without Ko Wen-je? Analysis of the 2024 Taiwan Elections and Beyond

Started Sept. 4, 2024

Abstract or project description

This paper will investigate the values of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), a third party led by Taipei's former mayor Ko Wen-je. It will compare Ko’s values with the TPP’s and explain how the party's Legislative Yuan victories in the 2024 Taiwanese elections may have influenced Ko's role within the party; more specifically, we will look at how the election’s outcome impacted the TPP’s relationship with its leader and whether that dynamic may change. We will explain the Taiwanese electoral system, key political moments during the election that influenced the TPP’s campaign, and Ko’s approach to leadership. Additionally, we will compare the TPP to the People First Party, another third party in Taiwan, to outline their similarities. Finally, this paper will study the TPP and Ko’s choices for platform ambiguity, and the implications the TPP and Ko have on Taiwan’s future.