MACMILLAN Taiwan's Transformation: 1895 to the Present

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. Review “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) From the Back Cover 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.  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.