James Lin
@jamestwotree.bsky.social
Historian of Taiwan & the World. Associate Professor, University of Washington Jackson School.
Author of In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan (University of California Press, 2025)
Website: ocf.io/jameslin
he/him
Author of In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan (University of California Press, 2025)
Website: ocf.io/jameslin
he/him
Pinned
James Lin
@jamestwotree.bsky.social
· Apr 4
In the Global Vanguard by James Lin - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
www.ucpress.edu
Open access publication! My book is now available open access for everyone to read and download free on the @ucpress.bsky.social website: www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the... A brief thread about the book /1
I spoke to Josh Edbrooke at National Taiwan Normal University's International Taiwan Studies Centre about my book, In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan. Many thanks to Josh for the thoughtful questions and discussion audioboom.com/posts/879447...
In the Global Vanguard, with Professor James Lin
Professor James Lin from the University of Washington shares the backstory to his latest book and demonstrates how Taiwan's early development missions impacted Taiwan's own population in ways ...
audioboom.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I spoke to Josh Edbrooke at National Taiwan Normal University's International Taiwan Studies Centre about my book, In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan. Many thanks to Josh for the thoughtful questions and discussion audioboom.com/posts/879447...
Reposted by James Lin
In our latest post, we show how arguments that cast Taiwan as a "destabilizer" are troubling and flatly untrue. Taiwan isn't the one bending the world order. Taiwan's story deserves to be seen in its own right, not as a scapegoat. ampleroad.substack.com/p/a-sense-of...
A Sense of Dread: Isolationists under Trump Lay the Groundwork for Abandoning Taiwan, Marking a Radical Departure in Foreign Policy
Hello everyone,
ampleroad.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
In our latest post, we show how arguments that cast Taiwan as a "destabilizer" are troubling and flatly untrue. Taiwan isn't the one bending the world order. Taiwan's story deserves to be seen in its own right, not as a scapegoat. ampleroad.substack.com/p/a-sense-of...
A careful, deep dive into the complicated legacies of colonialism, war, and historical memory through Taiwanese veterans and comfort women of the Second Sino-Japanese War/WWII.
I wrote for ChinaTalk about Taiwanese society's attempt to confront its complicated WWII legacy: those who fought under Japan, against the Chinese, as colonial subjects www.chinatalk.media/p/taiwan-con...
Taiwan Confronts its WWII Legacy
An exploration
www.chinatalk.media
September 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
A careful, deep dive into the complicated legacies of colonialism, war, and historical memory through Taiwanese veterans and comfort women of the Second Sino-Japanese War/WWII.
Reposted by James Lin
In my father's poli sci classroom in 1970s Taiwan, he would always call out the 'spy students' in the back: "Take good notes! Spicy bit!" The class would titter. Even the report-maker would look a bit abashed.
In this A&M student's righteous "Dear Leader" invocation, there was no shame felt at all.
In this A&M student's righteous "Dear Leader" invocation, there was no shame felt at all.
A professor at Texas A&M taught… something related to gender that offended a student, who secretly filmed herself objecting. That video is picked up by TX legislators, who demand her firing, and now the dean and dept head have been fired.
www.kbtx.com/2025/09/09/a...
www.kbtx.com/2025/09/09/a...
A&M Dean removed following student complaints over curriculum
The Department of Justice has also acknowledged the situation and said it would be investigating.
www.kbtx.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM
In my father's poli sci classroom in 1970s Taiwan, he would always call out the 'spy students' in the back: "Take good notes! Spicy bit!" The class would titter. Even the report-maker would look a bit abashed.
In this A&M student's righteous "Dear Leader" invocation, there was no shame felt at all.
In this A&M student's righteous "Dear Leader" invocation, there was no shame felt at all.
Reposted by James Lin
Reviewing a book manuscript is hard work but always worth it when it's for a good press. Particularly excited to get my hands on @jamestwotree.bsky.social's book
August 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Reviewing a book manuscript is hard work but always worth it when it's for a good press. Particularly excited to get my hands on @jamestwotree.bsky.social's book
Honored to have @jamesbaron.bsky.social, who previously worked in the development field in Taiwan, review my book In the Global Vanguard for Taipei Times! www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Book review: ‘Straw hat diplomats’: The rise and fall of Taiwan’s Cold War development diplomacy - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Honored to have @jamesbaron.bsky.social, who previously worked in the development field in Taiwan, review my book In the Global Vanguard for Taipei Times! www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Excited to read @heguisen.bsky.social’s new book Ghost Nation!
August 5, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Excited to read @heguisen.bsky.social’s new book Ghost Nation!
Call for papers: "New Directions in Taiwan History" workshop to be held at University of Washington, Seattle, on February 26-27, 2026. Deadline to apply is October 10, 2025. Please share widely! For application instructions: jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/works...
Workshop: New Directions in Taiwan History - Taiwan Studies Program
New Directions in Taiwan History – Taiwan at the Center and at the Margins February 26-27, 2026 University of Washington, Seattle Hosted by the UW Taiwan Studies Program This two-day workshop will bring together scholars working across the temporal range of Taiwan history to share and discuss works-in-progress and findings from their research projects. We
jsis.washington.edu
August 1, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Call for papers: "New Directions in Taiwan History" workshop to be held at University of Washington, Seattle, on February 26-27, 2026. Deadline to apply is October 10, 2025. Please share widely! For application instructions: jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/works...
Excited to see the translation of Kaori Lai 賴香吟's Portraits in White 白色畫像 published in English by Columbia UP! Translated by Sylvia Li-chun Lin and Howard Goldblatt, commissioned by Ian Rowen, and a historical introduction written by yours truly. cup.columbia.edu/book/portrai...
July 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Excited to see the translation of Kaori Lai 賴香吟's Portraits in White 白色畫像 published in English by Columbia UP! Translated by Sylvia Li-chun Lin and Howard Goldblatt, commissioned by Ian Rowen, and a historical introduction written by yours truly. cup.columbia.edu/book/portrai...
Reminder: I’ll be talking about my new book this Thursday!
I'll be giving a talk on my book in Seattle and online (hybrid) on May 15 at 3:30pm (Pacific). Please join in person or online! jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/2025/...
MAY 15 - 'In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan' with James Lin, UW - Taiwan Studies Program
In just half a century, Taiwan transformed from an agricultural colony into an economic power, spurred by efforts of the authoritarian Republic of China government in land reform, farmers associations, and improved crop varieties. Yet overlooked is how Taiwan brought these practices to the developing world. In the Global Vanguard elucidates the history and impact
jsis.washington.edu
May 13, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Reminder: I’ll be talking about my new book this Thursday!
You can grab my book on sale for 40% off! www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the...
May 7, 2025 at 6:17 PM
You can grab my book on sale for 40% off! www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the...
My first book review! I am grateful to @angusbylsma.bsky.social for closely engaging with my book. The critique is fair, and it's exciting to see how the book is sparking conversations.
For this week’s review, I read @jamestwotree.bsky.social’s new history of Taiwanese agrarian development at home and abroad, In the Global Vanguard. Land reform, Africa, and Straw Hat Diplomats!
Development and Diplomacy
In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan, James Lin, 2025.
unevenandcombinedthoughts.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
My first book review! I am grateful to @angusbylsma.bsky.social for closely engaging with my book. The critique is fair, and it's exciting to see how the book is sparking conversations.
I'll be giving a talk on my book in Seattle and online (hybrid) on May 15 at 3:30pm (Pacific). Please join in person or online! jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/2025/...
MAY 15 - 'In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan' with James Lin, UW - Taiwan Studies Program
In just half a century, Taiwan transformed from an agricultural colony into an economic power, spurred by efforts of the authoritarian Republic of China government in land reform, farmers associations, and improved crop varieties. Yet overlooked is how Taiwan brought these practices to the developing world. In the Global Vanguard elucidates the history and impact
jsis.washington.edu
April 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I'll be giving a talk on my book in Seattle and online (hybrid) on May 15 at 3:30pm (Pacific). Please join in person or online! jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/2025/...
Reposted by James Lin
Reposted by James Lin
1/6
SCMP: "Yu has been outspoken in his advocacy for the reduction of China’s US Treasury bill holdings and has advised Beijing to stay alert for any attempts to use the country’s foreign assets against it."
sc.mp/8tmps?utm_so... via @scmpnews
SCMP: "Yu has been outspoken in his advocacy for the reduction of China’s US Treasury bill holdings and has advised Beijing to stay alert for any attempts to use the country’s foreign assets against it."
sc.mp/8tmps?utm_so... via @scmpnews
Economist says China’s overseas assets at risk as trade war hits boiling point
Yu Yongding, a former central bank adviser, says Beijing’s foreign holdings could become another battleground in the US-China trade war.
sc.mp
April 15, 2025 at 4:32 AM
1/6
SCMP: "Yu has been outspoken in his advocacy for the reduction of China’s US Treasury bill holdings and has advised Beijing to stay alert for any attempts to use the country’s foreign assets against it."
sc.mp/8tmps?utm_so... via @scmpnews
SCMP: "Yu has been outspoken in his advocacy for the reduction of China’s US Treasury bill holdings and has advised Beijing to stay alert for any attempts to use the country’s foreign assets against it."
sc.mp/8tmps?utm_so... via @scmpnews
Taiwan has a prominent role in this story on Somaliland www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...
How Trump Offers This African Territory Its ‘Biggest Opportunity’
After years of building relationships with congressional Republicans and conservative think tanks, officials in Somaliland believe President Trump will grant their ultimate wish: statehood.
www.nytimes.com
April 13, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Taiwan has a prominent role in this story on Somaliland www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...
Reposted by James Lin
Congratulations @jamestwotree.bsky.social! Looking forward to reading this very important book!
April 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Congratulations @jamestwotree.bsky.social! Looking forward to reading this very important book!
Open access publication! My book is now available open access for everyone to read and download free on the @ucpress.bsky.social website: www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the... A brief thread about the book /1
In the Global Vanguard by James Lin - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
www.ucpress.edu
April 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Open access publication! My book is now available open access for everyone to read and download free on the @ucpress.bsky.social website: www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the... A brief thread about the book /1
Reposted by James Lin
American political scientists and historians who study China say they see more parallels today between their area of study - Chinese politics - and their own country, the United States - than ever before.
www.npr.org/2025/03/17/n...
www.npr.org/2025/03/17/n...
Political scientists seeing parallels between China and the U.S.
American political scientists and historians who study other countries - especially China - say they see more parallels today between their area of study and their own country.
www.npr.org
March 18, 2025 at 1:46 AM
American political scientists and historians who study China say they see more parallels today between their area of study - Chinese politics - and their own country, the United States - than ever before.
www.npr.org/2025/03/17/n...
www.npr.org/2025/03/17/n...
Check out my book at the @ucpress.bsky.social booth at @asianstudies.org in Columbus!
March 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Check out my book at the @ucpress.bsky.social booth at @asianstudies.org in Columbus!
Physical copies are arriving! If you are attending AAS next week, you can find my book at the @ucpress.bsky.social exhibit booth! www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the...
March 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Physical copies are arriving! If you are attending AAS next week, you can find my book at the @ucpress.bsky.social exhibit booth! www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the...
Reposted by James Lin
Listening to James Lin talk about his new book “in the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan” (April, UC Press) at the New Directions in Taiwan History at Princeton. 🇹🇼 🤓
February 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Listening to James Lin talk about his new book “in the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan” (April, UC Press) at the New Directions in Taiwan History at Princeton. 🇹🇼 🤓
I just wanted to share this superb article written by Kiah Duggins linking postauthoritarian Taiwan and Black American abolitionist movements: journals.law.harvard.edu/crcl/wp-cont...
H/t to @michellekuo.bsky.social for finding Duggins’ article
H/t to @michellekuo.bsky.social for finding Duggins’ article
February 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I just wanted to share this superb article written by Kiah Duggins linking postauthoritarian Taiwan and Black American abolitionist movements: journals.law.harvard.edu/crcl/wp-cont...
H/t to @michellekuo.bsky.social for finding Duggins’ article
H/t to @michellekuo.bsky.social for finding Duggins’ article
The transformation of Rubio from neocon ideologue to Trump transactionalist yes man is something I would never have predicted even months ago.
February 19, 2025 at 6:25 AM
The transformation of Rubio from neocon ideologue to Trump transactionalist yes man is something I would never have predicted even months ago.
Echoes of the 1971 Kissinger talks with Zhou Enlai, with Moscow and Beijing’s roles reversed and Ukraine for Taiwan.
February 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Echoes of the 1971 Kissinger talks with Zhou Enlai, with Moscow and Beijing’s roles reversed and Ukraine for Taiwan.