Taiwan's Presidents

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.

John F. Copper is the Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies (emeritus) at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the author of more than 40 books on China, Taiwan, and U.S. Asia policy. Professor Copper’s most recent books include Taiwan’s Politics in Action: Struggling to Win at the Ballot Box, Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? (7th edition), Donald J. Trump and China, and Taiwan at a Tipping Point: The Democratic Progressive Party’s Return to Power.