"Does much more than chronicle political events.... Provides very relevant information about the international, economic, and social contexts of Taiwanese politics." —André Laliberté, Pacific Affairs“This book reminds us of the long road Taiwan took—enduring many years of social and political repression—to become the wealthy exemplar of representative governance we see today.... The authors masterfully unpack the nuanced causal mechanisms behind this development journey in a very readable fashion.” —Marc Marmino, Asian AffairsHow did Taiwan transform itself from a "least developed country" into an Asian Tiger? How did it become a successful, multiparty democracy after years of authoritarian rule? Why do its relations with China and the US remain critical?The authors address these questions as they assess Taiwan's trajectory since 1949 in the political, economic, and social spheres. They also consider the challenges the country faces as it seeks to maintain its status and sustain growth despite internal struggles, rising tensions with Beijing, and declining international diplomatic recognition.