Overview
- Though Taiwan is usually covered as a subtext of contemporary China studies, this book focuses on the unique socio-political achievements of Taiwan itself and provides an in-depth analysis of the historical and cultural factors that have shaped the country’s progression to democracy
- This book presents a synthesis of the Taiwan story, explaining the complicate and generally unknown history, emphasizing the ongoing economic miracle, and shedding new light on the thriving democratization
- This book illustrates Taiwan’s wider story beyond the economic miracle or Beijing’s target and reflects on the island’s hard won place as a vibrant Chinese democracy
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About this book
This book presents a cogent but comprehensive review of Taiwan’s socio-economic transformation from a Japanese colony to a thriving East Asian mini-state. Since the 1980’s, Taiwan has primarily been viewed as a thriving economic model. Though certainly true, this assessment belies the amazing social and political success story for 23 million people on a small New Hampshire-sized island just off the China coast. Metzler highlights the engaging political narrative of democratization as well as Taiwan’s noteworthy accomplishments despite the proximity and opposition of communist China. Further, the result of the 2016 elections and its implication are analyzed. Scholars studying East Asia and policy makers will gain a greater appreciation for the island’s dynamic, prosperous resilience, despite pressure from China.
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Keywords
Table of contents (8 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Reviews
“Taiwan’s Transformation is a timely and comprehensive work that contributes to enhanced understanding of Taiwan as an independent area/field of analysis that is both relevant and substantial within East Asian Studies. Professor Metzler presents a powerful case for the conceptualization of a “Taiwan Model” of modernization and democratization in East Asia. Taiwan’s Transformation is strongly recommended for practitioners, scholars, and students alike.” (Dr. Yukinori Komine, Associate in Research, Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, USA)
“This is an important book and a welcomed addition to the literature on Taiwan. It also fills a gap--the need for a single author study of the modern Taiwan for undergraduate and graduate classes on East Asia. The book possesses a strong narrative line and the chapters present a clear and useful periodization. The added pieces that look at certain topics are useful as well and by being by themselves do not destroy the flow of the strong and tightly written narratives.” (Murray A. Rubinstein, Senior Research Scholar, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University, USA and Professor Emeritus, Baruch/CUNY, USA)
“A judiciously researched and well-written book that carefully chronicles Taiwan's important transformation. John Metzler's new book takes readers through the Ma Ying-jeou era (2008-16) and equips them with important questions pertinent to Taiwan's future.” (Dr. Vincent Wang, Dean of School of Humanities and Sciences and Professor of Politics, Ithaca College, USA)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
John J. Metzler teaches comparative government and Asian Studies at St. John’s University in New York. He is likewise a longtime United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic, defense and developmental issues.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Taiwan's Transformation
Book Subtitle: 1895 to the Present
Authors: John J. Metzler
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-56442-9
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan New York
eBook Packages: Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-57492-3Published: 04 January 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-92945-0Published: 27 March 2021
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-56442-9Published: 04 January 2017
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XI, 175
Number of Illustrations: 3 illustrations in colour
Topics: Asian Politics, Political History, Conflict Studies, History of Japan