This dissertation compares the process of democratization between South Korea and Taiwan. Through a historical overview, I analyze the rise of authoritarian systems in both entities and compare the main reasons for the fall of authoritarianism and what ultimately led to the establishment of a democratic system. Although both South Korea and Taiwan share a very similar history in the 20th century, certain differences emerge in the establishment of democracy. South Korea and Taiwan are primarily known for rapid economic progress in the second half of the 20th century and are considered highly developed. In the 1980s and 1990s, both entities began to gradually democratize, and since then, both have become full democracies, which is quite rare in the context of Asian countries. Today, the citizens of South Korea and Taiwan can freely express their opinions and make decisions about their politics through democratic elections.
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