Daniel Lynch on the 2012 Taiwan Election: 1992 Consensus - Harmless Mantra or Dangerous Trap?

Daniel Lynch argued that ideas about Taiwan-China relations were central to the 2012 election campaign and its outcome. He examined understandings of the so-called "1992 consensus" and how attitudes about it drove voting. Ma Ying-jeou, the candidate who embraces the 1992 consensus, won. Tsai Ing-wen, the candidate who rejects the idea that there is a consensus, lost. Lynch analyzes what lessons Beijing and others may take from this outcome.

Lynch has also published an assessment of the election at ForeignAffairs.com: "Why Why Ma Won the Elections and What's Next for Taiwan and China."

Daniel Lynch is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Southern California. Lynch is the author Rising China and Asian Democratization: Socialization to “Global Culture” in the Political Transformations of Thailand, China, and Taiwan and After the Propaganda State: Media, Politics, and “Thought Work” in Reformed China.

This presentation was given on January 20, 2012 at USC. Click on the play button below to watch the presentation..

This video is also available on the USCI YouTube Channel.

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