Stormy Seas Taiwan Under the Shadow of China in the 21st Century

"Stormy Seasis a timely and illuminating account of Taiwan's place in a rapidly changing world. Under the threat of authoritarian expansion, it shows why the defense of democracy, freedom, and dignity demands courage, resilience, and unwavering conviction. An important book for anyone seeking to understand why Taiwan matters to the future of the Indo-Pacific and the democratic world." -Tsai Ing-wen, former president of Taiwan

"As global democracies confront xenophobic populism and authoritarian expansion, Thung-Hong Lin provides a rigorous analysis of Taiwan's resilience. This study demonstrates how a robust civil society and strategic economic autonomy safeguard democratic institutions against internal and external pressures. A brilliant, essential contribution that provides a vital roadmap for democratic sustainability."-Ming-sho Ho, National Taiwan University

"What enables some democracies to endure while others falter? Thung-Hong Lin turns to Taiwan for answers. Drawing on decades of original research, he shows that democratic survival depends not only on institutions or economic development, but also on the strength of civic networks and society's capacity to resist authoritarian pressure from both outside and within. This urgent, rigorous book is indispensable for understanding democratic resilience in an age of authoritarian resurgence."-Ya-Wen Lei, Harvard University

"Few democracies face what Taiwan faces. In Stormy Seas, Thung-Hong Lin traces how civic activism has again and again defended the island's free society against mounting pressure at home and from China. A timely reckoning with what democratic resilience demands in an era of intensifying geopolitical competition." -Syaru Shirley Lin, Chair of the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation