Taiwan

In the fourth edition of Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? Professor Copper examines Taiwan's geography and history, its society and culture, its economy, its political system, and its foreign and security policies in the context of Taiwan's uncertain political status: whether a sovereign nation or a province of the People's Republic of China. Copper argues that Taiwan's very rapid and successful democratization (while leaders in Beijing oppose democratic change) suggests Taiwan should be independent and separate from China; increasingly important economic links between Taiwan and China says the opposite. Professor Copper argues that exacerbating this problem Washington and Beijing espouse opposing policies regarding resolution of the Taiwan issue and that has made the Taiwan Strait the worlds number one flashpoint (place where major powers collide and where war using weapons of mass destruction may be used). This matter has been recently been given further salience by the shift of political power to Chen Shui-bian who was elected president in 2000 and the victory of his opposition party, which has long advocated an independent Taiwan, in the 2001 legislative election and by America's growing perception of a China danger and concern about Beijings military expansion that is in large part aimed at Taiwan. Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? is unlike other books of this genre pursues the theme of Taiwan's unique status and seeks to gauge its future as one of the world's vortex political entities.