The twelve years of Lee Teng-hui's presidency were marked by a series of contrary trends: tremendous progress in the consolidation of Taiwan's democracy; deterioration of the Kuomintang's popularity and the spread of "black and gold politics" (the influence of organized crime and corruption in the political system); a growing role for Taiwan in international affairs; and periodic and often intense conflicts with China. Lee himself was viewed as a heroic figure by some and reviled by others.

In this book some of the most influential scholars on Taiwan's domestic politics and international relations assess Lee Teng-hui's presidency and his legacy for Taiwan's current leaders and the political system as a whole.

The 12 years of Lee Teng-hui's presidency were marked by a series of contrary trends such as progress in the consolidation of Taiwan's democracy, and periodic conflicts with China. This book assesses the complex legacy of Lee Teng-hui by looking at his accomplishments and setbacks.

Taiwan's recent moves to democratize its political system have undermined the "one China" policy and demanded the redefinition of relations between Taiwan and China. Across the Taiwan Strait provides a new and timely look at the pivotal role of democracy in the fifty-year-old conflict. Drawn from the proceedings of a conference organized by the Claremont Institute, the work discusses the varying perceptions of democracy in China and Taiwan and the different democracy movements developing on either side of the Taiwan Strait. It highlights the importance of Taiwan in establishing an Asian experience of democracy, the role of the United States in mediating this discussion of democracy, and the need to ensure that democratic development enhances, rather than destabilizes, the cross-strait relationship.