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A meticulous study of various Taiwanese religions and their relationships with democratic values and behaviors. ... Read more

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This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Global Legal Monitor, published by Law Library of Congress on July 2, 2009. The length of the article is 463 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Taiwan / World Trade Organization: government finance--accession to Global Government Procurement Agreement.
Author: Wendy Zeldin
Publication: Global Legal Monitor (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 2, 2009
Publisher: Law Library of Congress
Page: NA

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from ASEAN Economic Bulletin, published by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) on December 1, 2000. The length of the article is 970 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Taiwan's Development Experience: Lessons on Roles of Government and Market.(Review) (book review)
Author: Liu Yunhua
Publication: ASEAN Economic Bulletin (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 2000
Publisher: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS)
Volume: 17Issue: 3Page: 349

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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Taiwan's first presidential election, in 1996, sparked a Sino-U.S. military showdown that resulted in the biggest show of U.S. naval force in East Asia since the Vietnam War. This book is the first to explore the origins and triangular dynamics of that historic confrontation. Analyzing the key decisions and misperceptions that led to the Taiwan Strait crisis, Garver warns that it may usher in a more confrontational era of Sino-U.S. relations. China is already emerging as an economic powerhouse and fears of its becoming an expansionist military power have grown in recent years as China has rapidly built up its armed forces since 1989. It has also adopted a more assertive stance in several territorial disputes with its neighbors, arousing new security concerns for Asia as a whole. When China tried to intimidate Taiwan's voters by firing missiles and conducting large-scale military exercises off its coasts in the period preceding the 1996 election, the U.S. dispatched two aircraft carrier battle groups to Taiwan. The prestige of all sides was fully engaged as powerful do domestic interests demanded an assertive posture.Eventually, China adopted a more cautious stance and the crisis passed. But it marked the first instance of Chinese nuclear coercion of the U.S. and gave the 'China threat' new credence in the U.S. and elsewhere in Asia. The author has studied the Taiwan question for more than 30 years and has witnessed first-hand the growth and culmination of Taiwan's democratization. This sober, mature reflection of decades of thought is certain to inform the debate on the 'China threat' and the future of Sino-U.S. relations. John W. Garver is professor of international affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His previous books include "Foreign Relations of the People's Republic of China" and "China's Decision for Rapprochement with the United States". ... Read more

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Detailed, Perceptive Analysis of the 1996 Crisis
In this book, Garver recounts the events that led to the 1996 missile crisis between Taiwan and China and explains the significance it has to the U.S.He begins by explaining how U.S.-PRC relations underwent increased uncertainty and instability due to the emergence of a democratic Taiwan.Taiwan's abolishment of martial law in 1987 allowed it to gain sympathy from other nations.This factor, reinforced by Taiwan's growing economic influence, allowed for it to expand its participation in international society and gradually drift away from China.China, on the other hand, faced growing international contempt due to the Tiananmen massacre.Furthermore, the Chinese government felt that its aspirations to rise as a world power was being thwarted by the U.S., as it believed that the U.S. was stopping China's growth through economic pressure and an excessive focus on human rights.The political and economic growth of Taiwan, coupled by China's belief that the U.S. was supporting such development, eventually prompted China to engage in large-scale military exercises geared towards Taiwan.The first wave occurred in 1995, during Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's visit to Cornell University, and the second wave occurred during Taiwan's first presidential election in 1996.The U.S. took a hard line on such actions, as it dispatched two aircraft carriers from the Persian Gulf to ensure that tensions did not escalate in the Taiwan Strait.

Given the ambiguous position the U.S. has taken on the Taiwan issue, Garver believes that the 1996 crisis did assist in answering some critical questions about U.S. policy and its underlying intentions.It indicates that at least under certain circumstances, in the case of a Chinese attack, the U.S. will provide a degree of protection to Taiwan.The U.S. stance will increase the costs of China to employ military means to achieve unification, and will serve as an additional factor China must consider before it engages in such a war.What Garver cannot predict, however, is the U.S. response in the case that Taiwan recklessly provokes China and declares independence. ... Read more

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The 1996 deployment of two U.S. carrier battle groups to the waters off Taiwan in response to the firing of Chinese missiles close to Taiwan's shores brought home suddenly the genuine danger of a military clash between the United States and China over the Taiwan issue. In this timely book, distinguished analyst Ralph N. Clough assesses the intractable differences between Beijing and Taipei over the status of Taiwan, the rise and growing strength of an opposition party advocating Taiwan independence, and Beijing's threat to use military force to prevent independence. At the same time, he weighs the moderating influence of investment and trade across the Taiwan Strait and the reopening of cross-strait dialogue. The author warns against a U.S. commitment to intervene militarily against any Chinese use of force, which could encourage Taiwan to expect U.S. backing if it declared independence; nor should Washington renounce military intervention, which would give the PRC a free hand. Instead, Clough argues for a policy of ambiguity, providing the United States the flexibility to intervene militarily or not as circumstances dictate and at the same time giving more active approval and support to cooperation between the people and governments on both sides of the strait. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An eye-opener in many respects
The Taiwan Strait is likely to remain a contested area in world politics for many more years to come, and now that Chen Shui-bian has taken up office as Taiwan's newly elected president, the tension in the strait willprobably lose none of its intensity. However, reading this book revealedthe fact that in spite of the frequent verbal skirmishes between Beijingand Taipei, lively interaction between both sides of the strait is takingplace on many different levels every day: There is reciprocal economicinvestment, students are taking part in exchange programs, individualtravel is booming and further exchanges are being encouraged in suchdifferent fields as art and sports. Interestingly enough, all this activityis continuously being overshadowed by the media hype that - unfolding inthe U.S. and most European countries - has so far been quite successful inpainting a bleak picture of the apparently impending clash between theDavid and Goliath of the Taiwan Strait. To be sure, it will never bepossible to completely eliminate any anxiety that a direct confrontationbetween the more radical groups in both Beijing and Taipei might lead to amilitary conflict, but considering the economic investments, internationalgoodwill and - last but not least - people's welfare at stake for bothgovernments, war in the Taiwan Strait seems not a valuable option. Indeed,let it be remembered that even during the most tumultuous period ofBeijing-Taipei relations to date in 1995-1996, culminating in the PRCinitiating air-sea combat maneuvers in the strait, Beijing authoritiessought to minimize the adverse impact on cross-strait trade and investmentby sending high-ranking officials on a tour of South China to assureworried Taiwanese businessmen that the heightened political tension wouldnot affect economic relations. Although still years away, peacefulreunification of Taiwan with mainland China is far more probable thanbloody conflict, and that is an important lesson learnt from this verynecessary book. ... Read more

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The 1996 deployment of two U.S. carrier battle groups to the waters off Taiwan in response to the firing of Chinese missiles close to Taiwan's shores brought home suddenly the genuine danger of a military clash between the United States and China over the Taiwan issue. In this timely book, distinguished analyst Ralph N. Clough assesses the intractable differences between Beijing and Taipei over the status of Taiwan, the rise and growing strength of an opposition party advocating Taiwan independence, and Beijing's threat to use military force to prevent independence. At the same time, he weighs the moderating influence of investment and trade across the Taiwan Strait and the reopening of cross-strait dialogue. The author warns against a U.S. commitment to intervene militarily against any Chinese use of force, which could encourage Taiwan to expect U.S. backing if it declared independence; nor should Washington renounce military intervention, which would give the PRC a free hand. Instead, Clough argues for a policy of ambiguity, providing the United States the flexibility to intervene militarily or not as circumstances dictate and at the same time giving more active approval and support to cooperation between the people and governments on both sides of the strait. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An eye-opener in many respects
The Taiwan Strait is likely to remain a contested area in world politics for many more years to come, and now that Chen Shui-bian has taken up office as Taiwan's newly elected president, the tension in the strait willprobably lose none of its intensity. However, reading this book revealedthe fact that in spite of the frequent verbal skirmishes between Beijingand Taipei, lively interaction between both sides of the strait is takingplace on many different levels every day: There is reciprocal economicinvestment, students are taking part in exchange programs, individualtravel is booming and further exchanges are being encouraged in suchdifferent fields as art and sports. Interestingly enough, all this activityis continuously being overshadowed by the media hype that - unfolding inthe U.S. and most European countries - has so far been quite successful inpainting a bleak picture of the apparently impending clash between theDavid and Goliath of the Taiwan Strait. To be sure, it will never bepossible to completely eliminate any anxiety that a direct confrontationbetween the more radical groups in both Beijing and Taipei might lead to amilitary conflict, but considering the economic investments, internationalgoodwill and - last but not least - people's welfare at stake for bothgovernments, war in the Taiwan Strait seems not a valuable option. Indeed,let it be remembered that even during the most tumultuous period ofBeijing-Taipei relations to date in 1995-1996, culminating in the PRCinitiating air-sea combat maneuvers in the strait, Beijing authoritiessought to minimize the adverse impact on cross-strait trade and investmentby sending high-ranking officials on a tour of South China to assureworried Taiwanese businessmen that the heightened political tension wouldnot affect economic relations. Although still years away, peacefulreunification of Taiwan with mainland China is far more probable thanbloody conflict, and that is an important lesson learnt from this verynecessary book. ... Read more

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Postwar Taiwan has witnessed not only great changes in social, economic, and political structure, but also gigantic transformation in the world of thought. This book represents a joint effort to provide readers with accounts of some outstanding aspects of the kaleidoscopic phenomena of the postwar Taiwan transformation. ... Read more

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Taiwan in the Twenty-first Century consists of sixteen original essays written by American, Taiwanese, and Chinese professors. The contributors' distinctive multidisciplinary approach refreshed the study of contemporary Taiwan and shed new light on many important questions. ... Read more

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This timely volume provides an in-depth analysis of recent events surrounding the conflict between Taiwan and China over Taiwan's sovereignty. After a thoughtful discussion of the origins of the dispute, Copper examines the hallmark 1996 election in Taiwan that brought to power the first direct elected Chinese chief executive in over 5,000 years. He then discusses the ruling Nationalist Party's congress and explores how the party is changing in light of democratization and increasing public concerns about political corruption and crime. Finally, Copper addresses the U.S. role in the conflict and examines why Washington has changed its policy concerning Taiwan in recent years. ... Read more

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Taiwan's economic, political and societal issues have become major points of interest to countries all over the globe. There has been an ongoing debate on Taiwan independence within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that the island currently enjoys sovereign independence and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China.This book presents in-depth analysis of such issues such as foreign policy, political reform, and overall economic developments. ... Read more

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The most comprehensive and up-to-date study presently available of the dynamic island republic of Taiwan. Drawing on a broad range of documentary sources and on-site research, a group of writers including many of the world's leading specialists on Taiwanese affairs provide in-depth and expert analysis. ... Read more

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Sayonara to the Lee Teng-hui Era brings together the most prominent American, Taiwanese, and Chinese scholars in the field and addresses very crucial issues involved in Taiwan's democratization. ... Read more

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This work, written by an expert in the politics of Mainland China and Taiwan, looks at the role the Constitution of the Republic of China has played in the development of Taiwan since 1949 and its potential influence on the People's Republic of China.The Chinese Communists conducted the first long march for the sake of the majority of Chinese people, with the victory of MAO Zedong. In the second long march, CHIANG Kai-shek and his successors tried to convert the Chinese mailand from a Communist, totalitarian system, into a democratic, prosperous one by relying on the spirit of the Republic of China (ROC) constitution and by setting itself as a good example, in gradually guaranteeing freedom and democracy. Needless to say, this march is long and difficult."Struggling Against The Chinese Communists under the Republic of China Constitution" challenges other models and theories on the study of the relationship between the ROC (Taiwan area) and mainland China or the People's Republic of China (PRC) since China became politically (as opposed to legally) divided in December 1949.Arguably, it is the ROC Constitution that has helped ROC citizens to live in a non-Communist or anti-Communist political system. Actively promoting democracy and freedom on the Chinese mainland (neidi) can further guarantee the Taiwan area's survival.The book provides valuable scholarship of interest to anyone researching the political history of China and its prospects for democratization. ... Read more

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Rambling, unconvincing
Modern Chinese history, Yu Peter Kien-hong argues, can be divided into two defining periods -- the First Long March, led by Communist leader Mao Zedong to "liberate peasants and farmers," and the Second Long March, in which non- and anti-communists sought to "promote full-fledged and mature constitutional democracy" in China.

Yu, a professor at Ming Chuan University, posits that Taiwan and "mainland China" are both part of the Republic of China (ROC). Both Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC), though they have engaged in different, lesser marches since, are bound by the same destiny, in the form of the ROC Constitution, to "reunite" at one point. As the ROC was never dissolved, the PRC is a derivative of, or partial successor to, the ROC. In other words, it did not completely replace the ROC, meaning that it can only claim sovereignty over Taiwan as part of the ROC.

To make his point, Yu walks us through the marches led by Chiang Kai-shek, Yan Chia-kan, Chiang Ching-kuo, Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian, arguing that despite great contests of power and changing times, the leadership in Taiwan -- which throughout the book the author annoyingly refers to as "Taiwan area" -- nevertheless continued to adhere to the ROC Constitution, which in his view has worked quite well in its "struggle" against the CCP.

While not shying away from criticizing the Chiangs and Lee, Yu shows his true political colors in his description of Chen, whose election engendered a "political mess plus scandals of one type or another," and who did a "terrible job" as president. Yu's problem, however, is that in the 35 pages he dedicates to the Chen march, he fails to show us why his tenure was so terrible, relying on the 2004 shooting incident -- a favorite of deep blues in their attacks on the former president -- to somehow make his point. Here, as in many books written by KMT sympathizers, the pan-blue camp's scorched earth tactics in the legislature, which often prevented the executive from governing, are papered over.

It is more likely, therefore, that Yu's unfavorable characterization of Chen lies in the fact that the latter was the leader who came closest to abandoning the

so-called Second March by forsaking the ROC Constitution in his efforts to create a Republic of Taiwan (ROT). Doing so would have destroyed, once and for all, the theory -- now on life support -- that "mainland China" and Taiwan are two parts of the ROC.

As long as Taiwan adheres to the Constitution, written under much different times in 1947, it is possible to hope, as Yu does, that at some point in future it will be possible for the two sides to "reunite." As this is ostensibly Yu's preferred scenario, Chen's pro-Taiwan ideology was therefore a threat. This prompts him into reminding us, though he is wrong, as it turns out, that Ma Ying-jeou's victory in 2008 was a "severe warning" sent by the "majority" of voters in the pan-blue camp "that the ROC [i.e., Taiwan] cannot abandon mainland sovereignty." We all know, of course, that the majority of people who voted for Ma did so because he promised to revive the economy and improve relations with Beijing, not because of some deep-felt desire to claim sovereignty over China.

For all his opposition to Chen's efforts to create a Republic of Taiwan -- which like the PRC could arguably be seen as a "successor" of the ROC -- Yu fails to mention that in 1954 Beijing adopted its own Constitution of the People's Republic of China, which rather than draw from the ROC Constitution, is modeled after the Constitution of the Soviet Union, written in 1936. We can therefore argue that the disconnect that obviated the ROC Constitution was not caused by the Taiwanese independence movement, but rather by the enactment of the PRC Constitution, the latest version of which was adopted in 1982. Yu would be extremely naive if he thought that "reunification" would occur under terms other than the PRC's -- that is, under the ROC framework he advocates.

Equally unpersuasive is Yu's argument that the KMT should join forces with like-minded elements in China in fostering full democracy, efforts that surely would take us closer to war in the Taiwan Strait than anything the Lee and Chen administrations ever did in the name of Taiwanese independence. Toward the book's end, Yu himself admits that the CCP prioritizes its hold on power and only sees the possibility of democracy "with Chinese characteristics" at some distant point in the future. He also ignores the impact that more than 110 years of separate rule has had on identity in Taiwan and people's desire to link their destinies with a regime that, to all, is an alien one.

Sadly, the relatively simple -- and by no means original -- theory at the core of The Second Long March is marred by damnably poor editing and the author's tendency to jump from one point to another without any seeming connection between them, which is distracting and often confusing. Outrageous passages, such as his claim that 650,000 natives of Taiwan -- or one-tenth of the population -- were slaughtered by Imperial Japanese forces during the colonial period (the figure is closer to 30,000, according to many experts, while only Chinese propaganda supports such numbers), serve to discredit Yu and raise questions about the intentions of his badly written, flawed and ultimately unconvincing his book.

(Originally published in the Taipei Times, Sunday, December 6, 2009, page 14.) ... Read more

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In 1991 Taiwan held its first fully democratic election. This first single-volume of party politics in Taiwan, analyzes the evolution of party competition in the country, looking at how Taiwan's parties have adjusted to their new multi party election environment. It features key chapters on:

* The development of party politics in Taiwan
* The impact of party change on social welfare, corruption and national identity
* Party politics in the DPP era.

Including interviews with high-ranking Taiwanese politicians and material on the 2004 Presidential election, this important work brings the literature up-to-date. It provides a valuable resource for scholars of Chinese and Taiwanese politics and a welcome addition to the field of regime transition and democratization. ... Read more