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Taiwan: A Contested Democracy Under Threat
As a top 20 global economy and tech powerhouse, a liberal democracy on the frontline of autocratic pressure and a pivotal component in the free and open Indo-Pacific, the future security of Taiwan has enormous ramifications for today’s global order.
Jonathan Sullivan and Lev Nachman consider Taiwan’s complex and multi-layered history and the many dimensions it holds in international politics. They show that an appreciation of its critical role in geopolitics is more than just the crude dichotomies of “democracy vs authoritarianism” or “independence vs unification”. Its history and future are intimately tied to wider questions of decolonialism, national identity, economic interdependence, multiculturalism and modern values – all set against an ever-present security threat.
Jonathan Sullivan and Lev Nachman consider Taiwan’s complex and multi-layered history and the many dimensions it holds in international politics. They show that an appreciation of its critical role in geopolitics is more than just the crude dichotomies of “democracy vs authoritarianism” or “independence vs unification”. Its history and future are intimately tied to wider questions of decolonialism, national identity, economic interdependence, multiculturalism and modern values – all set against an ever-present security threat.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published January 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 6, 2024
The author’s purpose in writing this book is to provide an approachable yet substantive explanation of issues in and around Taiwan that go past the daily headlines which are often viewed in the US-China confrontation. It is the authors’ hope that through the increased attention Taiwan is receiving and with an informed background, individuals and governments will “listen to Taiwanese voices and to Taiwan on its own merit.”
In ten chapters, the author provide the reader with a solid background to better understand Taiwan:
1. Why Taiwan matters
2. Taiwan’s many histories
3. Decided by the Taiwanese people
4. Taiwan and the ROC
5. Sacred and inviolable
6. Once China, multiple considerations
7. “The most dangerous place in the world”
8. Taiwan’s political economy
9. Taiwan’s international position
10. Taiwan’s future
The authors also provide a very helpful set of further readings.
In addition to the history of the many peoples in Taiwan, and its transition out of nearly four decades of martial law into a vibrant, self-governing democracy. There has been a growing consensus that the Taiwanese, in this usage the people living in Taiwan, do not wish unification with China, particularly because of freedoms they would lose. On the other hand, the Peoples’ Republic of China’s (PRC’s) current President has spoken of the “sacred task” of reunifying with Taiwan as part of the PRC.
Yet, as the authors describe, this requires a balancing act by the government and the people. The main issues dominating elections is the stance Taiwan takes to China, with the KMT trying to position Taiwan as a more friendly neighbor. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), now in power since 2016, has not accepted the one China, two systems proposal from the PRC. As a response, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of the PRC refuses to talk with a DPP-led government.
The authors’ chapter on economy was valuable since it is an important backdrop to a dichotomy: Taiwan’s prowess in the semiconductor industry with stagnant wages.
Given the book is released in 2024, it encompasses the Tsai Ing-Wen presidency. The authors claim that Tsai was a consequential leader (viewed internationally), focused on substance over symbolism, and rehabilitated the DPP reputation after the Chen Shui-bian era. Though pragmatic, because she did not support the one principle view of the PRC, there was no official interaction between Taiwan and the PRC.
This is a valuable contribution to understanding Taiwan today. The authors attempted a balanced approach to discussing issues.
It is a helpful companion to the even more recent and very insightful Revolutionary Taiwan: Making Nationhood in a Changing World Order, by Catherine Lila Chou and Mark Harrison, which take an overtly Taiwanese perspective.
FB: A valuable, balanced contribution to understanding the history and background of today’s news headlines about Taiwan. The authors hope the world will remember to “listen to Taiwanese voices and to Taiwan on its own merit,” rather than through the lens of the global power contests.
In ten chapters, the author provide the reader with a solid background to better understand Taiwan:
1. Why Taiwan matters
2. Taiwan’s many histories
3. Decided by the Taiwanese people
4. Taiwan and the ROC
5. Sacred and inviolable
6. Once China, multiple considerations
7. “The most dangerous place in the world”
8. Taiwan’s political economy
9. Taiwan’s international position
10. Taiwan’s future
The authors also provide a very helpful set of further readings.
In addition to the history of the many peoples in Taiwan, and its transition out of nearly four decades of martial law into a vibrant, self-governing democracy. There has been a growing consensus that the Taiwanese, in this usage the people living in Taiwan, do not wish unification with China, particularly because of freedoms they would lose. On the other hand, the Peoples’ Republic of China’s (PRC’s) current President has spoken of the “sacred task” of reunifying with Taiwan as part of the PRC.
Yet, as the authors describe, this requires a balancing act by the government and the people. The main issues dominating elections is the stance Taiwan takes to China, with the KMT trying to position Taiwan as a more friendly neighbor. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), now in power since 2016, has not accepted the one China, two systems proposal from the PRC. As a response, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of the PRC refuses to talk with a DPP-led government.
The authors’ chapter on economy was valuable since it is an important backdrop to a dichotomy: Taiwan’s prowess in the semiconductor industry with stagnant wages.
Given the book is released in 2024, it encompasses the Tsai Ing-Wen presidency. The authors claim that Tsai was a consequential leader (viewed internationally), focused on substance over symbolism, and rehabilitated the DPP reputation after the Chen Shui-bian era. Though pragmatic, because she did not support the one principle view of the PRC, there was no official interaction between Taiwan and the PRC.
This is a valuable contribution to understanding Taiwan today. The authors attempted a balanced approach to discussing issues.
It is a helpful companion to the even more recent and very insightful Revolutionary Taiwan: Making Nationhood in a Changing World Order, by Catherine Lila Chou and Mark Harrison, which take an overtly Taiwanese perspective.
FB: A valuable, balanced contribution to understanding the history and background of today’s news headlines about Taiwan. The authors hope the world will remember to “listen to Taiwanese voices and to Taiwan on its own merit,” rather than through the lens of the global power contests.
November 20, 2025
No nonsense, compact summary of Taiwan's current status.
My one small criticism is that it underplays the KMT's agency (/poor decsions) in the global shift from RoC to the PRC in the 70s.
I think most people familiar with Taiwan would find little new here, but it's a good book to hand people who want a recent, complete picture.
My one small criticism is that it underplays the KMT's agency (/poor decsions) in the global shift from RoC to the PRC in the 70s.
I think most people familiar with Taiwan would find little new here, but it's a good book to hand people who want a recent, complete picture.
May 14, 2024
Poorly researched
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews