In Taiwan's Democracy on Trial, Professor Copper assesses the process of
democratization in Taiwan during the Chen Shui-bian Era (2000 to 2008)
and after. He shows that in several respects, most important being press
freedom, human rights, ethnic relations, political reform,
constitutionalism, and clean governance, democratization regressed.
Economic management was not good and relations with the United States
were severely strained, which also hurt the Chen administration and
explains why the Nationalist Party returned to power in 2008. The
democratization process has improved since 2008.