Progressivism Progressivism holds that it is possible to improve human societies through political action. As a political movement, progressivism seeks to advance the human condition through social reform based on purported advancements in science, tec ...

is a major political movement in Taiwanese politics. There are several progressive

political parties in Taiwan This article lists the political parties in the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 7 December 1949. The organization of political parties in Taiwan is governed by the Political Parties Act, enacted on 6 December 2017. The Political Parties Act de ...

, but most are associated with the

Pan-Green Coalition The pan-Green coalition, pan-Green force or pan-Green groups is a nationalist political coalition in Taiwan (Republic of China), consisting of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan Statebuilding Party (TSP), Taiwan Solidarity Union ...

led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Progressive parties in Taiwan

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a

centre-left Centre-left politics lean to the left on the left–right political spectrum but are closer to the centre than other left-wing politics. Those on the centre-left believe in working within the established systems to improve social justice. The ...

social liberal and progressive party in Taiwan. It grew out of the

Tangwai movement The ''Tangwai'' movement, or simply ''Tangwai'' (), was a loosely knit political movement in Taiwan in the mid-1970s and early 1980s. Although the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) had allowed contested elections for a small number of seats in the Leg ...

formed in the 1970s to oppose the ruling

Kuomintang The Kuomintang (KMT), also referred to as the Guomindang (GMD), the Nationalist Party of China (NPC) or the Chinese Nationalist Party (CNP), is a major political party in the Republic of China, initially on the Chinese mainland and in Tai ...

. while there are more social liberal wings from the Taipei metropolitan areas. As of the 2020 legislative elections, the DPP holds a majority of 61 legislative seats. The

Taiwan Solidarity Union The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) is a political party in Taiwan which advocates Taiwan independence, and is affiliated with the Taiwanese localization movement. It was officially founded on 12 August 2001 and is considered part of the Pan-G ...

(TSU) is a

left-wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...

progressive party characterised primarily by its

Taiwanese nationalism Taiwanese nationalism () is a nationalist movement to identify the Taiwanese people as a distinct nation. Due to the complex political status of Taiwan, it is strongly linked to the Taiwan independence movement in seeking an identity separate ...

and derives its membership from both the

's former moderate and Taiwan-oriented fringe and DPP supporters disgruntled by the party's moderation on the question of Taiwanese sovereignty. Its progressive character is questionable, although it is part of the DPP's pro- Taiwan independence Pan-Green alliance. The TSU lost all of its seats in the 2016 elections. The

New Power Party The New Power Party (NPP) is a political party in Taiwan formed in early 2015. The party emerged from the Sunflower Student Movement in 2014, and advocates for universal human rights, civil and political liberties, as well as Taiwan indepe ...

(NPP) is a progressive party which aims to rewrite the Constitution of Republic of China and to carry out Taiwanization.New Power Party's proposals
/ref> The NPP won three seats in the 2020 legislative election. The modern liberal parties in Taiwan are mostly associated with

, as well as liberal positions on social issues, such as support for

LGBT rights Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality. Notably, ...

and abolishing the death penalty. However, progressivism and social liberalism in Taiwan have not easily extended to extensive labor rights, or more liberal support for immigrant rights.

List of progressive parties

Represented in the Legislative Yuan

* Democratic Progressive Party (founded in 1986) *

(founded in 2015) *

Taiwan Statebuilding Party The Taiwan Statebuilding Party (TSP; zh, t=台灣基進, p=Táiwān Jījìn, poj=Tâi-oân Ki-chìn) is a political party in Taiwan. The party was established in 2016 as Taiwan Radical Wings. The party is considered a close ally of the Democrat ...

(founded in 2016)

Not represented in the Legislative Yuan

* Peasant Party (founded in 1989) *

Green Party Taiwan Green Party Taiwan is a political party in Taiwan established on 25 January 1996. Although the party is sympathetic to Taiwan nationalism and shares a number of centre-left positions with the Pan-Green Coalition, the party emphasizes campaign ...

(founded in 1996) *

(founded in 2001) * People's Democratic Party (founded in 2011) *

Trees Party The Trees Party () is a minor political party in Taiwan. The core ideology of the party is environmentalism, and it is commonly identified as a "third force" party belonging to neither the Pan-Blue or Pan-Green Coalitions. The party was formed i ...

(founded in 2014) *

Social Democratic Party The name Social Democratic Party or Social Democrats has been used by many political parties in various countries around the world. Such parties are most commonly aligned to social democracy as their political ideology. Active parties Fo ...

(founded in 2015) * Free Taiwan Party (founded in 2015)

Formerly represented in the Legislative Yuan

Taiwan Independence Party The Taiwan Independence Party (TAIP; ), also known as the Taiwan Nation Party, was a political party in Taiwan. It was usually associated with the Pan-Green Coalition and supported Taiwan independence. History Disappointed by the Democratic ...

(1996–2020)

References