Hardback

eBook

Add to GoodReads

Taiwan at a Tipping Point

The Democratic Progressive Party's Return to Power

John F. Copper

Taiwan at a Tipping Point assesses issues relating to Taiwan’s 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 Taiwan’s independence alienated Taiwan’s biggest trading partner and a nation that claims Taiwan is its territory, China. Beijing took revenge. Taiwan’s 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 Taiwan’s 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) return—though it remaining in the doldrums made this seem unlikely. Thus uncertainty characterized Taiwan post-election. Taiwan was at a turning point.

Lexington Books

Pages: 274 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-6969-9 • Hardback • November 2017 • $123.00 • (£95.00)

978-1-4985-6970-5 • eBook • November 2017 • $116.50 • (£90.00)

Subjects: Political Science / World / Asian, Social Science / World / Asia

Taiwan at a Tipping Point

The Democratic Progressive Party's Return to Power

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Taiwan at a Tipping Point assesses issues relating to Taiwan’s 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 Taiwan’s independence alienated Taiwan’s biggest trading partner and a nation that claims Taiwan is its territory, China. Beijing took revenge. Taiwan’s 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 Taiwan’s 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) return—though it remaining in the doldrums made this seem unlikely. Thus uncertainty characterized Taiwan post-election. Taiwan was at a turning point.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 274 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-6969-9 • Hardback • November 2017 • $123.00 • (£95.00)

978-1-4985-6970-5 • eBook • November 2017 • $116.50 • (£90.00)

Subjects: Political Science / World / Asian, Social Science / World / Asia

Author

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

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: The Democratic Progressive Party’s Return to Power and its Aftermath
Chapter 2: Taiwan’s 2014 Nine-in-One Election
Chapter 3: Taiwan’s 2016 Presidential/Vice Presidential and Legislative Election
Chapter 4: Conclusions and Forecasts

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 island’s 2016 elections. Having never been concerned with being ‘politically correct,’ Copper’s conclusions provide us with a sobering and objective assessment of the Tsai administration’s 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 depth—packed with hundreds of useful endnotes—should be mandatory reading for all Taiwan area specialists.
— Peter Kien-hong Yu, National Quemoy University

Overall, Copper does an excellent job explaining how identity politics, economic development, and party politics are correlated in Taiwan. His analysis on Taiwan’s 2014 local and 2016 presidential elections are detailed and informative. Those interested in Cross-Strait relations and Taiwanese politics will find this book to be a good resource.
— Journal of Chinese Political Science

Taiwan at a Tipping Point

The Democratic Progressive Party's Return to Power

John F. Copper

Taiwan at a Tipping Point

The Democratic Progressive Party's Return to Power

ALSO AVAILABLE