I think my trouble is a lack of consistency. 1) The major powers were not all Western and Democratic (as you admit). 2) Stability is not a sufficient conditio

I think my trouble is a lack of consistency. 1) The major powers were not all Western and Democratic (as you admit). 2) Stability is not a sufficient condition. Being a representative of the country that won WWII is. You brought in GDP, I'm just telling you that's completely irrelevant. China (as one entity) won WWII and the majority of Chinese people and GDP still existing in Mainland China after the PRC/ROC split. 3) I understand the logic as to why people in the 50's chose ROC over PRC, but I am just trying to tell you that the PRC does not agree with that logic as is their right as a sovereign nation. Maybe where we disagree is that you assume all people who fought for the ROC in WWII fled to Taiwan (and therefore the people living in the PRC had nothing to do with winning WWII?). FWIW that is not true.