Taiwan didn't clean up its pollution until it became a democracy. (I lived there for extended periods both before and after that transition.) Generalizing a bit more, dictatorship was not strictly necessary for Taiwan's progress, as we know from two lines of evidence:
1) Some countries in other parts of the world developed AS democracies, even earlier than Taiwan.
2) Taiwan has continued to develop and improve most aspects of its living standards since it became a democracy.
Dictatorships miss out on the valuable reality-checks on public policy provided by free and fair election campaigns.
> 1) Some countries in other parts of the world developed AS democracies, even earlier than Taiwan.
I don't get this point. Sure some countries developed as democracies, but effectiveness is contextual.
> 2) Taiwan has continued to develop and improve most aspects of its living standards since it became a democracy.
No one is arguing here that democracy is not eventually the best form of government, only when democracy is appropriate. Once a country is solidly middle class, I think democracy is a solid win and the people will demand it anyways.
1) Some countries in other parts of the world developed AS democracies, even earlier than Taiwan.
2) Taiwan has continued to develop and improve most aspects of its living standards since it became a democracy.
Dictatorships miss out on the valuable reality-checks on public policy provided by free and fair election campaigns.