The article outlines the historical context of Taiwan’s political landscape beginning with the end of World War II and the subsequent Chinese Civil War, which led to Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang government relocating to Taiwan. Born into a family of 'waishengren' (mainland Chinese immigrants), Ma Ying-jeou initially served as an elite bureaucrat in the Kuomintang (KMT) regime, which maintained authoritarian rule during the Cold War. However, he transformed into a populist figure after Taiwan's democratization, successfully running for Taipei mayor in 1998 against the incumbent from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) by promoting an image of incorruptibility and principled governance.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Ma faced corruption allegations regarding the misappropriation of public funds while in office, leading to his indictment by prosecutors in 2007, a moment seen as potentially catastrophic for his political career. Despite the charges, Ma declared his intention to run in the presidential elections and subsequently was acquitted in both initial and appellate trials, with the courts ruling that while he had transferred funds, it did not constitute illegal activity. Harnessing this turn of events, Ma won the presidency in 2008, reinstating the KMT's position as the ruling party in Taiwan, thus marking a significant political shift in the island’s governance.

However, during Ma's presidency, his administration marked a shift in relations with mainland China, with several economic agreements signed, which drew criticism from groups who valued Taiwan's distinct identity. The article notes significant societal unrest, such as the Sunflower Movement in 2014, where students occupied the legislature for 23 days to protest against perceived undemocratic actions taken by the KMT, and the eventual electoral defeat of the KMT in 2016, signaling a longing for different political dynamics in Taiwan's relationship with China and party governance.