Published in 2025, this co-authored book is the first of its kind to systematically examine how “divided nations” engage in trade, investment, and economic agreements amid unresolved sovereignty disputes. The authors define “divided nations” as polities that once formed a single state but have since split into separate entities clouded by contested sovereignty claims. The central question – how such entities pursue economic cooperation in the face of vexed political status – has both practical and theoretical significance, bridging debates on sovereignty, statehood, and international economic governance. Wu, Lin, and Liu approach this puzzle with an interdisciplinary lens, drawing on frameworks of public international law (notably treaty-making and recognition issues), concepts of democratic legitimacy, and international economic law principles to ground their analysis.

Structurally, the book offers an introductory chapter laying out these theoretical foundations, followed by three core case studies and a comparative analysis. Chapter 2 examines cross-strait economic relations between China and Taiwan, detailing how the two governments have fostered deepening trade and investment ties despite Beijing’s “One-China principle” and Taiwan’s efforts in resisting Beijing’s pressure and strengthening its contested statehood. Chapter 3 recounts efforts by North and South Korea to collaborate economically – from the Kaesong Industrial Complex to various trade and infrastructure projects – amid a cycle of détente and tension. Chapter 4 turns to Cyprus, exploring economic exchanges across the island’s dividing “Green Line”. The authors discuss EU-brokered arrangements that allow limited commerce between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot north, illustrating the role of regional trade regimes in mitigating a protracted sovereignty stalemate. Through these profound case studies, the book identifies how historical context, identity politics, and external constraints shape each pair’s pattern of economic engagement. The authors then synthesize insights from the previous case studies to develop a broader comparative perspective and analytical framework for future research. They highlight the complex interplay of national identity, democratic legitimacy, and shifting geopolitical pressures in conditioning economic cooperation under contested sovereignty. Common factors emerge: for instance, how public opinion and identity can legitimize or constrain deals with the other side, and how geopolitical dynamics critically impact the viability of cross-border economic initiatives. The analysis here is thoughtful and nuanced, yielding a “labyrinthine” framework that navigates between legal doctrine and political reality. The final chapter concludes by distilling the book’s findings and their implications. The authors underscore that economic cooperation in such fraught contexts is double-edged – capable of building trust and mutual benefit, but also easily derailed by shifts in sovereignty claims or domestic politics. Notably, they caution that policymaking in these scenarios can tip the balance between conflict escalation and peace, a point of particular relevance for diplomats and negotiators. Practical lessons are offered for managing economic ties in divided or crisis-stricken regions, reinforcing the book’s real-world significance.

The key contributions of this book lie in its empirical depth and comparative rigour. By systematically comparing three emblematic “divided nation” cases in Asia and Europe, the authors fill a gap in the scholarship on contested sovereignty and international economic law. Its interdisciplinary approach is a notable strength: legal scholars will appreciate the careful examination of how agreements are structured in legally anomalous situations, while scholars in the field of international relations will value the insights into how power and legitimacy concerns influence those legal arrangements. The comparative chapter adds considerable value by extracting cross-cutting factors and patterns, turning the individual case observations into more generalizable insights about sovereignty and cooperation. This balanced empirical and theoretical engagement makes the book a timely contribution, and its relevance is underscored by ongoing sovereignty disputes and the pressing need for stable economic links in divided or conflict-prone regions.