Taiwan at a Tipping Point

Reviews / Votes

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 In sum, this is a classical book which records the transfer of political power from the DPP to the KMT and back again in detail, giving the readers a comprehensive understanding of how the DPP regained its glory, political power, and socioeconomic environment during these years. The author's hard work helps us to know how and why the voters' choice changed dramatically from 2008 to 2016. This book is worth the read both for newcomers and experienced researchers of Taiwanese politics. It offers fruitful information and details about the political and social environmental changes in Taiwanese democratic development movements. The insights offered by the author also help researchers to catch how the Taiwanese voters' preferences on party and its candidates changed during recent decades and why Taiwan is "at a tipping point." * China Review International * 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 *