影響「政治發展」的因素甚多,尤其在開發中國家,當民智尚未完全開化,現代化的制度和秩序尚未穩固之際,政治領袖的「人格特質」、知識和領導技巧,往往對一國的「政治發展」產生鉅大而深遠的影響。蔣經國擔任國家領導人,他的「人格特質」對於臺灣「政治發展」必然具有一定的影響力。 蔣經國推動「政治本土化」政策與其「務實」的「人格特質」有關,因為在他的政治認知中,中國「必然統一於自由民主的三民主義制度之下」,臺灣與大陸的競爭在於制度之爭,而制度推動的關鍵在於人才,他在1970年代末期大量任用本省籍的政治菁英參與中央政府決策,有效疏導與整合本省人與外省人的政治歧見,奠定政治安定的基礎。此外,他也希望任用的臺籍人士具有中華民族的思想,「本土化」的長遠目標就是追求中國必將統一於三民主義之下。
Although there are countless factors affecting political development, especially in developing country. When people's wisdom in this country is not fully enlightened, and modern political system and order are not stabilized, personality characteristics, knowledge and leadership skill of the political leader normally made massive and far-reaching impact on country's political development. Chiang Ching-kuo played the role of nation's leader, his personality characteristics would definitely make impact on Taiwan political development. Chiang Ching-kuo's promotion of political localization policy was related to his practical personality characteristics. Since within his political acknowledgement, China ”must be united under the guidance of the Three Principles of the People characterised by liberty and democracy”. The competition between Taiwan and mainland China is basically a competition of systems, and the key for system promotion rests on talent. Therefore he started to appoint massive provincial political elites to participate in the policy decision-making at central government level, which effectively alleviated the grievance and consolidated political elites from either local province or other provinces. This laid the solid foundation for political stability. Other than this, he also hoped Taiwanese elites possessing the thoughts and inclinations of Chinese people as a whole. The long range focus and target for political localization were to pursue the unification of China under the premise of guidance from the Three Principles of the People.