A System Not of Our Making: Electoral and Institutional Constraints on Indigenous Self-determination in Taiwan

This research note examines the Indigenous legislative electoral system in Taiwan, discussing how the separation into “Mountains” and “Plains” reflects a legacy of colonial classification and continues to marginalize Indigenous voices in contemporary politics. It then argues that low voter turnout and limited legislative impact are not merely behavioral issues but outcomes of deeper structural constraints. This note situates electoral underrepresentation within broader conversations about Indigenous sovereignty, survival, and self-determination, and questions whether reforms within a state-centric framework are sufficient to address systemic exclusion. In doing so, this note contributes to ongoing debates about democratic participation, settler colonialism, and the future of Indigenous politics in Taiwan.