| Abstract: | During the 1980s, economic development in Taiwan received much attention in development studies. The “Taiwan miracle” has
made Taiwan rich and famous. This article examines an often ignored aspect of development—environmental quality—and argues
that Taiwan has achieved “growth with pollution” that will not increase but decrease the welfare of the people in the long
run. The root cause of Taiwan's environmental degradation rests on the obsession with fast economic growth at any cost by
the powerful coalition between the ruling Kuomington and the capitalists. The article argues that the case of Taiwan is far
from being a “model” for developing countries. Taiwan's experience of “growth with pollution,” on the contrary, should stand
as a warning to other developing countries pursuing similar development paths.
Chun-Chieh Chi received his B.A. in sociology from Tunghai University in Taiwan, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from
State University of New York at Buffalo. He is assistant professor of sociology at the University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104.
His research interests include sustainable development in Taiwan and Kenya, indigenous people and the environment, and women
and the environment in developing countries. |
