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.

"This is a book to be taken seriously, and it deserves a wide audience - particularly in Taiwan.... Copper's new book is an important addition to the literature on Taiwan's politics and democratization. It is to be hoped that readers can look forward to an expanded second edition in the future, and that the second edition will be translated into Chinese so it may reach a wider audience." - Taiwan Review