The United States and Asia in 1986: Demands for Democracy
Author(s)
Johnson, Chalmers; Um, Khatharya
Abstract
Describes democratic movements in various Asian countries during 1986 and discusses the Reagan administration’s reaction toward these movements. The assassination of former Filipino senator Benigno Aquino on August 21, 1983, resulted in the “people power” movement – led by Aquino’s widow, Corazon Aquino – and the fall of Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986. In Korea, political opponents of President Chun Doo Hwan demanded that the constitution be amended to allow for the direct election of the president. In Taiwan, President Jiang Jingguo allowed political elements outside the party to compete for seats in the National Assembly. In Pakistan, the opposition movement’s demand for democracy was strengthened by the return of Benazir Bhutto of the Pakistan People’s Party.
