John Franklin Copper is the Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies (emeritus) at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

"John F. Copper provides a comprehensive, yet succinct, analysis of Taiwan’s history, politics, economics, society, and international position that is informative, interesting and highly readable. A major contribution of the text is the way he discusses what each facet of Taiwan’s experience implies for the central question of whether it is an independent nation-state or a province of China."Cal M. Clark, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, Auburn University"Copper, a world renowned expert on Taiwan having written a multitude of books on the subject, in Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? he looks at a host of factors to answer the question whether Taiwan is or should be a nation or a province of China. This is a critical issue not only for Taiwan and China but also the United States and the world. The dispute threatens to be the trigger for a war between the U.S. and China that will have global impact. That is why a better understanding of this issue is essential."Thomas J. Bellows, Professor, Department of Political Science and Geography, University of Texas at San Antonio"John Copper provides readers with the field’s best-written and best-organized study of Taiwan."Dennis V. Hickey, Distinguished Professor and The James Morris Endowed Professor of Political Science, Missouri State University"As before, Copper provides a comprehensive, in-depth examination of Taiwan’s developments with fresh insights and new perspectives. A must-have for readers who are interested in Taiwan’s recent political change."Wei-chin Lee, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Wake Forest University

• 1. The Land and the People 2. History 3. Society 4. Political System 5. The Economy 6. Foreign and Military Policies 7.Summary, Conclusions, the Future

John Franklin Copper is the Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies (emeritus) at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

"John F. Copper provides a comprehensive, yet succinct, analysis of Taiwan’s history, politics, economics, society, and international position that is informative, interesting and highly readable. A major contribution of the text is the way he discusses what each facet of Taiwan’s experience implies for the central question of whether it is an independent nation-state or a province of China."Cal M. Clark, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, Auburn University"Copper, a world renowned expert on Taiwan having written a multitude of books on the subject, in Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? he looks at a host of factors to answer the question whether Taiwan is or should be a nation or a province of China. This is a critical issue not only for Taiwan and China but also the United States and the world. The dispute threatens to be the trigger for a war between the U.S. and China that will have global impact. That is why a better understanding of this issue is essential."Thomas J. Bellows, Professor, Department of Political Science and Geography, University of Texas at San Antonio"John Copper provides readers with the field’s best-written and best-organized study of Taiwan."Dennis V. Hickey, Distinguished Professor and The James Morris Endowed Professor of Political Science, Missouri State University"As before, Copper provides a comprehensive, in-depth examination of Taiwan’s developments with fresh insights and new perspectives. A must-have for readers who are interested in Taiwan’s recent political change."Wei-chin Lee, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Wake Forest University

• 1. The Land and the People 2. History 3. Society 4. Political System 5. The Economy 6. Foreign and Military Policies 7.Summary, Conclusions, the Future