John F. Copper – författare

An assessment of the recent unprecedented Taiwanese democratic elections, which, despite threats from Beijing, set the stage for genuine democracy in Taiwan. A firsthand account of three crucial elections in the 1990s, two of which were unprecedented: the 1994 election of the first governor of Taiwan and the 1996 presidential election. The latter marked the first direct election of a chief executive in Taiwan or any Chinese nation in 5,000 years of Chinese history. This study considers the political environment in which these elections were held, particular political issues, party strategies and campaigns, and election results.Taiwan is now in the final stage of democracy, and its impressive political modernization is one proof of its new status. The 1995 legislative election and the 1996 presidential election were held amidst Beijing's intimidation in the form of missile tests close to Taiwan's shores, massive military excercises, and verbal threats. Such posturing forced the United States to send aircraft carriers to the area in response. Taiwan's remarkable progress has begun to draw the attention of the leaders of developing countries who have come to see Taiwan's political modernization as a model for their own nations.

One of the most pressing issues for China—and the world at large—is the continuing presence of an independence-minded Taiwan off China's southern coast. Recent modernization efforts within the Chinese military and tough remarks by Chinese officials have alarmed many in Washington, and caused others to question America's commitments in the region.Copper details events of recent decades to give the reader a complete picture of potential flash points concerning Taiwan. An expert who has studied the region for more than thirty years, he saw firsthand the turmoil that followed the recent Taiwanese elections. Drawing upon his interdisciplinary research on the political, economic, and military issues surrounding the U.S.-Taiwan-China triangle, he assesses the various aspects of this complex relationship and comments on what may come from playing with fire.Daily headlines and news stories remark upon the growing economic might of China. Analysts note that this increasing economic influence will undoubtedly lead to increasing political engagement on a global level. It is clear that the United States can no longer ignore what Napoleon called the sleeping giant.One of the most pressing issues for China—and the world at large—is the continuing presence of an independence-minded Taiwan off China's southern coast. Recent modernization efforts within the Chinese military and tough remarks by Chinese officials have alarmed many in Washington, and caused others to question America's commitments in the region.Copper details events of recent decades to give the reader a complete picture of potential flash points concerning Taiwan. An expert who has studied the region for more than thirty years, he saw firsthand the turmoil that followed the recent Taiwanese elections. Drawing upon his interdisciplinary research on the political, economic, and military issues surrounding the U.S.-Taiwan-China triangle, he assesses the various aspects of this complex relationship and comments on what may come from playing with fire.

The concept of individual human rights in the People's Republic of China, as in all communist countries, is fundamentally different from that in the West. Even so, the record of the Mao Zedong years is generally acknowledged as dismal even in China. This book investigates human rights in China from a historical perspective but concentrates on the p

This book, examining the process that created the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), endeavors to assess the TRA in terms of its role in guiding or determining U.S. China policy, in preserving the sovereignty of Taiwan, in promoting democracy there, and in resolving the "Taiwan issue."

This book looks at the military aid given by communist bloc countries to other bloc countries and to Third World nations. The authors analyze the military aid capabilities of communist donor nations, their specific motivations for offering military aid, and the policies and guidelines that govern arms assistance. They also discuss competitio

This book investigates human rights in China since the death of Mao in 1976. It analyzes legal practices and institutions, intellectual and ideological policies, and economic changes to evaluate the degree to which there have been real changes in the Chinese attitude toward human rights.

This book, examining the process that created the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), endeavors to assess the TRA in terms of its role in guiding or determining U.S. China policy, in preserving the sovereignty of Taiwan, in promoting democracy there, and in resolving the "Taiwan issue."

This book analyzes the military aid capabilities of communist donor nations, their specific motivations for offering military aid, and the policies and guidelines that govern arms assistance, evaluating the general successes and failures of military aid programs.

This book profiles Taiwan’s six key presidents—Chiang Kai-shek, Chiang Ching-kuo, Lee Teng-hui, Chen Shui-bian, Ma Ying-jeou, and Tsai Ing-wen—focusing on politics, economics, elections, successes and failures in office, popularity, and democratization.By analyzing criteria of the six presidents’ leadership, such as management of crises, advancing democracy, stewardship of the economy, charisma, corruption, and handling of foreign relations, especially with China and the U.S., John F. Copper goes on to rank the presidents and predicts trends and difficulties that future presidents will face. Special attention is paid to relations with the U.S., acknowledging the U.S. as Taiwan’s political and economic model as well as its being Taiwan’s protector in the context of China’s claim to Taiwan.As an assessment of these six political leaders as well as a study of Taiwan’s political system, this book will appeal to students and scholars of Taiwan, political science, and international relations.

This book profiles Taiwan’s six key presidents—Chiang Kai-shek, Chiang Ching-kuo, Lee Teng-hui, Chen Shui-bian, Ma Ying-jeou, and Tsai Ing-wen—focusing on politics, economics, elections, successes and failures in office, popularity, and democratization.By analyzing criteria of the six presidents’ leadership, such as management of crises, advancing democracy, stewardship of the economy, charisma, corruption, and handling of foreign relations, especially with China and the U.S., John F. Copper goes on to rank the presidents and predicts trends and difficulties that future presidents will face. Special attention is paid to relations with the U.S., acknowledging the U.S. as Taiwan’s political and economic model as well as its being Taiwan’s protector in the context of China’s claim to Taiwan.As an assessment of these six political leaders as well as a study of Taiwan’s political system, this book will appeal to students and scholars of Taiwan, political science, and international relations.

Copper then traces China's financial assistance to developing countries from the Mao period - when China gave meaningful foreign aid despite its own economic struggles - through the beginning of China's post-1978 economic boom and during subsequentdecades of rapid economic growth.

Today, by many accounts, China is the world's foremost purveyor of foreign aid and foreign investment to developing countries.

This three-volume work is the first comprehensive study of China's foreign aid and investment diplomacy to trace its evolution since the PRC's founding. Volume III analyzes China's foreign aid and investment to countries outside of Asia and assesses the findings of previous volumes to show this is a formidable challenge to other world powers.

Taiwan is an island located off the east coast of southern China. It is the largest piece of territory under the jurisdiction of the “nation” known officially as the Republic of China. Taiwan is a place of contradictions. Its successful economic and political modernization have stimulated the imaginations of most observers. Still its nation-state status has been constricted and weakened. It covets and pursues peace; yet it is a vortex actor in global strategic/military competition. It is small; yet its importance far exceeds its size. It has long occupied a critical place in history; even though it has not sought this it appears inevitable that it will continue to be so.This fourth edition of Historical Dictionary of the Taiwan (Republic of China) covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 600 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Taiwan.

Taiwan at a Tipping Point assesses issues relating to Taiwan’s new political, economic, diplomatic and military/strategic state-of-affairs following the January 2016 national election that brought the then opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to power. This was a momentous event. The DPP won major presidential and legislative victories giving it an easy mandate to govern. Tsai Ing-wen became president. But ruling did not turn out to be easy. Tsai and the DPP had little experience managing the economy and their growth strategies did not work well. Their stances on Taiwan’s independence alienated Taiwan’s biggest trading partner and a nation that claims Taiwan is its territory, China. Beijing took revenge. Taiwan’s only ally, the United States, was confused and distracted in trying to formulate a new policy toward Taiwan. Promises President Tsai and the DPP made during the campaign, especially on reform and Taiwan’s national status, were hard to fulfill and for the most part were not. Post-election euphoria turned into dismay. Thus the question arose whether the president and the DPP would remain in power or whether the next elections would see the Nationalist Party or Kuomintang (KMT) return—though it remaining in the doldrums made this seem unlikely. Thus uncertainty characterized Taiwan post-election. Taiwan was at a turning point.

Taiwan is a place of contradictions. Its successful economic and political modernization has stimulated the imaginations of most observers. Still, its nation-state status has been constricted and weakened. It covets and pursues peace, yet it is a vortex actor in global strategic/military competition. It is small, yet its importance far exceeds its size. It has long occupied a crucial place in history even though it has not sought this status, yet it appears inevitable that it will continue to do so.Historical Dictionary of Taiwan (Republic of China), Fifth Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 600 cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country’s politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Taiwan.

Taiwan in Troubled Times is concerned with Taiwan's politics and its relations with China following the election of Chen Shui-bian as President in March 2000. This event created problems between Taiwan and China and led to political gridlock in Taiwan. The Chen Administration is evaluated in this book. So is President Chen's party, which evolved as an opposition party and is now in power but is unaccustomed to the role.

Taiwan's Politics in Action: Struggling to Win at the Ballot Box is about the most interesting and exciting aspects of Taiwan's politics: political competition in the form of electioneering, campaigns and voting. The author first analyzes the theories, constructs or simply ideas about elections, especially who wins them and why.The most discussed by the pundits and the scholars are the watermelon and the pendulum theory: voting as before or not. The economic, or pocketbook, theory is also popular — although whether this means economic growth or greater equity has changed. Which party or candidate has the most money is also predictive. Other constructs or simply ideas are also commonplace. Divide and conquer is another approach. Another is the best campaign agenda; so too picking the most attractive candidates. Professionalism in campaigning and the use of social media are also favorite ideas. So is the appeal to voters' ethnicity, espousing liberal or conservative ideas, using protest, focusing on constant concerns such as peace and corruption and finally, the appeals of populism and progressivism.The author then examines Taiwan's two most recent elections, the 2018 mid-term (or collection of local elections) and the 2020 national presidential and legislative election to apply the theories. The Nationalist Party or Kuomintang (KMT) won the former; the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the latter, giving the observer a choice of evidence about how to win.The author concludes that Taiwan's democracy is being challenged, but is still popular in spite of strong external forces and other worries.