The European Union. Taiwan, and the Silicon Shield argument: a conceptual assessment through the lens of grand theories.

This paper critically examines the Silicon Shield argument, which suggests that Taiwan's semiconductor industry deters Chinese aggression due to global reliance. The main argument is that this narrative lacks rigorous academic grounding and serves more as a hopeful story than a credible deterrent. By analyzing the concept under the backdrop of grand theories in international relations, the paper addresses a gap in understanding the security implications of Taiwan's semiconductor industry. It concludes that the Silicon Shield is largely a hopeful narrative. This research provides a foundation for further empirical studies and encourages academic discourse on Taiwan’s security dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]