- Civil society legitimacy even during martial law: disaster relief for earthquakes, typhoons. On an island with daily tremors, you cannot afford to splinter; you exercise civic muscle in a constant civic gym.
- The existential threat from an authoritarian, atheist CCP regime. Many fled to Taiwan during the civil war — bringing incredible religious and intellectual diversity (and cuisine). That lineage is everywhere: cooperatives, consumer unions, credit unions. The ROC tolerated and showcased vibrant civil society — “Free China” — especially against the Cultural Revolution.