How Taiwan is Using Technology to Foster Democracy

Transcript of my conversation with Audrey Tang, Taiwan's Digital Minister

This is a transcript of my conversation with Taiwan’s first Digital Minister, Audrey Tang. Listen to the full conversation on your platform of choice or on our podcast page. The transcript is open to members only.

As we in the West grapple with election interference, online misinformation and echo chambers, the internet may appear to be an enemy of a healthy democracy. But under Minister Tang’s digital leadership, Taiwan, which only held its first general election in 1996, has had impressive success in using online tools to foster genuine civic engagement. How have they done it? How can Taiwan’s commitment to digital openness and radical transparency hold up in the face of geopolitical competition and friction from the People’s Republic of China?

Azeem Azhar:

Minister Tang. Welcome to Exponential View.

Audrey Tang:

Hello and good local time everyone.

Azeem Azhar:

Well, I think it’s fair to say that your path to government has been somewhat unusual. In fact, you’ve said that as Taiwan’s fi…