Taiwan: A Contested Democracy Under Threat

Taiwan's future security is crucial for the global order, as it is a liberal democracy on the frontline of autocratic pressure and a pivotal component in the Indo-Pacific. Its history and future are tied to wider questions of decolonialism, national identity, economic interdependence, multiculturalism, and modern values.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: Agenda Publishing

As a top 20 global economy and tech powerhouse, a liberal democracy on the frontline of autocratic pressure and a pivotal component in the free and open Indo-Pacific, the future security of Taiwan has enormous ramifications for today's global order.

Jonathan Sullivan and Lev Nachman consider Taiwan's complex and multi-layered history and the many dimensions it holds in international politics. They show that an appreciation of its critical role in geopolitics is more than just the crude dichotomies of "democracy vs authoritarianism" or "independence vs unification". Its history and future are intimately tied to wider questions of decolonialism, national identity, economic interdependence, multiculturalism, and modern values – all set against an ever-present security threat.

Taiwan's strategic location at the intersection of the East and West Pacific Oceans, its close ties to the United States and other democratic allies, and its vibrant democracy make it a critical player in regional and global security. However, its proximity to China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, also poses significant challenges.

Sullivan and Nachman argue that an understanding of Taiwan's history and its relationship with China is essential for understanding its future security. They trace the origins of Taiwan's separatist movement and the challenges it has faced over the years, including the Chinese Civil War, the Cold War, and the rise of China as a global power.

They also discuss the complex dynamics of Taiwan's relationship with the United States and other democratic allies. While the United States has maintained a "one China" policy, which recognizes China's sovereignty over Taiwan, it has also provided military and economic support to Taiwan to ensure its security. However, the increasing tensions between China and the United States over trade, technology, and other issues have raised questions about the future of this support.

Sullivan and Nachman also explore the role of Taiwan's economy in its security. They note that Taiwan's high-tech industry has played a critical role in its economic development and has helped it become a global leader in certain sectors. However, its dependence on China's market and its vulnerability to economic shocks make it vulnerable to security threats.

In conclusion, the future security of Taiwan has enormous ramifications for today's global order. Its complex and multi-layered history, its strategic location, its close ties to the United States and other democratic allies, and its vibrant democracy make it a critical player in regional and global security. However, its proximity to China, its dependence on the Chinese market, and its vulnerability to economic shocks also pose significant challenges. An understanding of Taiwan's history and its relationship with China is essential for understanding its future security and for ensuring that it remains a free and prosperous democracy.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 161 x 243 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788216708