n groups, unions, and political parties at theirown leisure. There are a few drawbacks in this area, the constitution only allow for onelabor federation in the country, in which it is run by the KMT. However there are over3000 registered unions in the country that have an membership of about 31 percent of thepopulation. (Freedom House 2000: 2)So the question remains, is Taiwan a democracy. If we look at Dahls definition ofdemocracy, a case could be made for the most part it is a working democracy, stridingtoward full-fledged democratization as the years go on. One aspect that is not to beover-looked is that of its relationship with China. For years the government of Taiwanclaimed to be the true leaders of China under the Republic of China banner. Since Chinabecame recognized under the communist regime, the ROC in Taiwan became somewhat ofan afterthought. A look at feelings today towards reunification with the mainland bringsabout a negative response. However, much of the international community regard Taiwanas a state of China, an image that is being shed little by little as it takes on more and moredemocratic traits. With its increasing support for the democratic way of governing,Taiwan is receiving more support from the international community toward declaring fullindependence, a move which may be coming soon as Taiwan sets itself to once againattempt to become an international power....
