Taiwan: Nation State Or Province? Third Edition (Nations of the Modern World. Asia) [Paperback]

John F Copper (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813333881 | ISBN-13: 978-0813333885 | Publication Date: September 9, 1999 | Edition: 3rd

In this thoroughly revised and updated edition, John Copper provides a comprehensive introduction to Taiwan. After describing the country’s historical development, he assesses its social and cultural milieu, its astonishing economic growth, and its relatively smooth transition to democracy. Copper also analyzes the political and security implications of Beijing’s continuing claim that Taiwan is a province of the PRC as weighed against sentiment in Taiwan favoring independence and a world community that supports the status quo.The book highlights Taiwan’s unique attributes: its uneasy status as a nation-state, its successful trade-oriented economy—despite a lack of natural resources—its rapid transition to democracy in the wake of economic development, and its ambiguous relationship with the United States. Considering Taiwan’s international role in the post–Cold War era, Copper weighs the future of this small but vital island nation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A first-class description of the territory's rise to a global powerhouse from relative impoverishment in the 1950s." -- The China Business Review

"Offers keen insights into the rapid economic, social, and political processes that are moving the country toward development and democracy." -- Hungdah Chiu, former president American Association for Chinese Studies

"Readers seeking a comprehensive but economical treatment of Taiwan need look no further...." -- American Journal of Chinese Studies

"Thorough and accessible....this book is highly recommended." -- Memphis Commercial Appeal

"[This] primer on Taiwan will be useful to students of Asian politics regardless of their level of expertise.... Recommended." -- R. H. Detrick, University of North Texas --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

John F. Copper is the Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the author of more than twenty books on Taiwan, China, and Asian Affairs. His book China’s Global Role (1980) won the Clarence Day Foundation Award for outstanding research and creativity activity. Professor Copper’s most recent books include Historical Dictionary of Taiwan (second edition) published in 2000 and Taiwan in Troubled Times (edited) published in 2002. Dr. Copper was recipient of the International Communications Award in 1997.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; 3rd edition (September 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813333881
• ISBN-13: 978-0813333885
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,713,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading if you want to understand Taiwan., October 30, 1998

By 

Andy Allen (Taipei Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taiwan: Nation-state Or Province? Second Edition (Nations of the Modern World : Asia) (Paperback)

Although the book's organization resembles a textbook too much, the information is invaluable. Given that there is a mountain of books available on China it is extremely helpful to read something about the first Chinese democracy. While I enjoyed the book as a whole I was particularly interested in the story of Taiwan's evolution from dictatorship to democracy. This is especially cool because Taiwan is still strengthening its democracy. No other book examines Taiwan in such depth, which is not as great a compliment as it sounds since only a handful of books really examine modern Taiwan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars helpful overview with some holes., December 21, 2010

By 

suburban dissident - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taiwan, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

Copper presents a solid overview of Taiwan, its history, culture, politics and trajectory. If you are looking for a substantial and factual look at the island, this is a good place to start. The writing has an unfortunate tendency to plod, as Copper seems to often be merely relating facts and not necessarily telling a story. That makes the sections on economics and geography particularly excrutiating. There is also the problem of bias, as Copper seems to nearly be a Kuomintang appologist. Democratization is attributed to Chiang Ching-kuo, Chiang Kai-shek's dastardliness is dramatically played down, and the "White Terror" is not mentioned in the book at all. Thus, in some ways, the historical account doesn't gel with what many in Taiwan would tell you actually happened over the last 20-30 years. Regardless, this is still one of the most complete pictures of the island that you will find.