Taiwan at a Tipping Point: The Democratic Progressive Party's Return to Power

(Hardback)

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Taiwan at a Tipping Point assesses issues relating to Taiwans new political, economic, diplomatic and military/strategic state-of-affairs following the January 2016 national election that brought the then opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to power. This was a momentous event. The DPP won major presidential and legislative victories giving it an easy mandate to govern. Tsai Ing-wen became president. But ruling did not turn out to be easy. Tsai and the DPP had little experience managing the economy and their growth strategies did not work well. Their stances on Taiwans independence alienated Taiwans biggest trading partner and a nation that claims Taiwan is its territory, China. Beijing took revenge. Taiwans only ally, the United States, was confused and distracted in trying to formulate a new policy toward Taiwan. Promises President Tsai and the DPP made during the campaign, especially on reform and Taiwans national status, were hard to fulfill and for the most part were not. Post-election euphoria turned into dismay. Thus the question arose whether the president and the DPP would remain in power or whether the next elections would see the Nationalist Party or Kuomintang (KMT) returnthough it remaining in the doldrums made this seem unlikely. Thus uncertainty characterized Taiwan post-election. Taiwan was at a turning point.

Reviews

Taiwan at a Tipping Point is a very timely book, given the political, economic, and diplomatic uncertainties facing that country. John F. Copper presents a sophisticated analysis of recent economic trends and domestic politics in Taiwan, and of the roles that China and the United States are playing in the evolving situation. This study will be valuable to those interested in Taiwan, China, and US diplomacy. -- Cal Clark, Auburn University
After eight years of relative calm and tranquility, the so-called Taiwan question has reemerged as one of the most serious challenges to peace and stability in the Western Pacific. In his new book, John F. Copper seeks to help readers make sense of the stunning electoral victory of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party in the islands 2016 elections. Having never been concerned with being politically correct, Coppers conclusions provide us with a sobering and objective assessment of the Tsai administrations uneven performance and the many challenges that the people of Taiwan must now confront. As such, the book should have a broad appeal to both practitioners and serious academics -- Dennis V. Hickey, Missouri State University
John F. Copper, a world recognized expert on Taiwan, has written a definitive study of political change in Taiwan since 2014. If one wants to acquire background and incisive, balanced political analysis of contemporary Taiwan, this is the book to read. This excellent study is complemented by a superb writing style. -- Thomas J. Bellows, University of Texas at San Antonio
John F. Copper has a welcome talent for tackling complicated and sensitive issues in plain language. His latest book on Taiwan politics is no exception. In flowing prose, he examines the intricacies of Taiwan's elections and analyzes their wider implications involving China and the United States. This is a book for both specialists and interested general readers. -- Ta-ling Lee, Southern Connecticut State University
John F. Copper is a very serious scholar. This study, both in terms of breadth and depthpacked with hundreds of useful endnotesshould be mandatory reading for all Taiwan area specialists. -- Peter Kien-hong Yu, National Quemoy University

Author Bio

John F. Copper is Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies emeritus at Rhodes College.