Taiwan in Dynamic Transition

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Taiwan's emerging nationhood challenges the global political order. After transitioning from authoritarianism to a vibrant democracy, this island has become a prosperous yet largely unrecognized nation-state lacking uncontested sovereignty. The growing assertion of Taiwanese identity highlights the delicate relationships between the U.S. and other powers that anticipate Taiwan's eventual unification with China. In light of their precarious international status, the Taiwanese have embraced cosmopolitan culture and democratic institutions more than many in Asia. Key events like the 2014 Sunflower Movement, where demonstrators occupied parliament to protest a trade agreement with China, and the Democratic Progressive Party's significant 2016 electoral victory, brought Taiwanese politics into the global spotlight. This work offers an updated analysis of contemporary Taiwan, emphasizing its emergent nationhood and its global political implications. It presents a new interpretive framework and case studies that illustrate how modern Taiwanese perceive their nationhood, showcasing examples of nation-building and democratization. The Taiwan case provides insights into broader themes in contemporary discourse, particularly regarding the varying outcomes of political transitions, contrasting Taiwan's stability and prosperity with the challenges faced by other regions post-Arab Spring. Taiwan exemplifies the dynamics of nation- and state