The transformation of the KMT's ideology

If is the author's view that ideology played an important role in the modernization and democratization of Taiwan. However, the ruling Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party of China) used the Three People's Principles of Sun Yat-sen in a pragmatic way, as some of its tenets were followed strictly, some were interpreted according to concrete needs, and others were ignored. The pragmatic character of Sun's designs facilitated the development of the KMT's ideology and undoubtedly facilitated the KMT's rule of Taiwan, as the KMT used his tutelary policies as a nation-building blueprint. In the initial stage, minshengzhuyi (people's livelihood) encouraged the KMT to carry out land reforms that laid down the basis for later rapid economic growth, and minquanzhuyi (democracy, especially the tutelage principle) encouraged local self-governance that formed the basis for recent democratization. Sun placed election politics in a central position in the political constitution, and his plan has been largely fulfilled by the KMT in Taiwan. Meanwhile, the KMT's ideology has transformed from actual authoritarian convictions to a democratic ideal. The KMT's elitist ideology has been transformed to a constituent-oriented ideology, and with this change to electoral politics, the KMT is also converting from mainland-oriented nationalism to Taiwan-oriented nationalism. Its concerns have shifted from long-range and messianic ones to short-range and pragmatic ones. This democratic change of the KMT's ideology is an important factor in the democratic transformation of Taiwan's political system.