At home, his authoritarian rule required a brutal police force.

"It's very hard to change the culture after decades of authoritarian rule."

But the advocates of authoritarian rule hold sway, and are likely to continue to do so.

The presidential vote Sunday was the fourth since 21 years of authoritarian military rule ended in 1985.

He is known for his authoritarian and largely corrupt rule of the region.

"There are so many countries in which these elections could open the way for a return to authoritarian rule," he said.

The West's desire is to see authoritarian rule replaced by democracy and respect for human rights.

For Taiwan, politics has long meant the authoritarian rule of old men chosen in the 1940's.

These people had rebelled against any sort of authoritarian rule their whole lives.

After decades of authoritarian rule, however, people all across the Earth were growing restive.