After a 30-year hiatus, Taiwan's Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) released new data on household wealth distribution on May 29, 2024. The wealth gap between the top and bottom 20% of households has expanded to 66.9 times, a stark increase compared to 16.8 times three decades ago. This growing disparity has drawn public attention to income distribution issues.
However, past studies have primarily focused on the relationship between economic issues and evaluations of democratic systems, leaving distribution-related topics underexplored. Yi-tzu Lin from Tunghai University utilized Asian Barometer Survey (ABS), waves four and five, to examine the connection between Taiwanese citizens’ views on income distribution and democracy.
According to data from ABS’s fifth wave, over 50% of respondents believed that the government should bear the majority or full responsibility for income distribution issues such as narrowing the wealth gap, ensuring affordable housing, guaranteeing access to healthcare, and securing basic living needs. Specifically, about 63% of respondents felt the government should take full or majority responsibility for narrowing the wealth gap. The proportion of respondents who declined to answer or expressed uncertainty was very low, indicating a strong willingness among Taiwanese citizens to voice their opinions on this critical issue.
Moreover, data from ABS’s fourth wave included four questions asking respondents about the essential characteristics of a democratic system. Among the options, one was associated with equitable economic opportunities (e.g., reducing wealth disparities, ensuring basic living needs, providing job opportunities, and guaranteeing unemployment benefits). The results showed that, except for unemployment benefits, the other options were the most frequently chosen for their respective questions. This demonstrates that most respondents view fair economic opportunities as one of democracy’s most significant features, reflecting a preference for an egalitarian democratic system.
Dr. Lin also highlighted that Taiwanese citizens not only believe the government should address income distribution and social justice issues but also expect democratic societies to go beyond fair, just, and transparent elections (as defined by Dahl, 1971). Instead, they advocate for a broader definition of democracy, one that includes fairness in income distribution as a critical element.
Original links：Income Distribution and Democratic Support in Taiwan: A Deviant?
