It is said that a set of broken bowls and plates are hanging on one of the walls in the home of an eminent older Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member in Yilan. According to the story, during the dangwai (黨外, “outside the party”) era, many of the leaders of what would later become the DPP met in this house to discuss the movement’s direction.
During one discussion, the argument became so heated that the plates and bowls on the table were broken. However, no matter how heated the argument, when the beer came out after the meeting, everyone was happy, and they kissed and made up because they all knew it was nothing personal.
There are many versions of this story, and I have heard them more times than I can remember. Every time I hear the story, I think of it as a distant legend about the “charming DPP” that one was, and when I compare it to the present “detested DPP” — now the nation’s biggest party — and I am filled with regret.
Former premier William Lai (賴清德) recently upset the political landscape when he announced that he would take part in the DPP’s presidential primary. However, this is precisely what is so charming about party politics: There must be arguments over direction and policy, and between spokespeople.
Politicians promote their views in the battle with other politicians, and then let party members or the whole electorate decide who they prefer. This process is an important link in the development of democratic politics.
That Taiwanese politics has come this far is the result of democracy, and it is something that all voters should celebrate.
Over the next few weeks, the core ideals, values and attack routines expressed throughout the internal party debate will reveal policy planning and implementation abilities to party members and the general public.
It is time for the DPP to set a good example by allowing the free democratic expression of wills and ideas, fighting without resorting to dirty tricks, debating instead of quarreling and reconciling after the fight.
This is a sign of political intelligence and wisdom and is how true democracy is safeguarded.
It would also be a good way to teach the KMT to put an end to palace intrigues and the pretense that it is in charge. That is a trick that does not work anymore.
Teng Ming-hung is a lecturer at Yilan Community University.
Translated by Perry Svensson
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
US President Trump weighed into the state of America’s semiconductor manufacturing when he declared, “They [Taiwan] stole it from us. They took it from us, and I don’t blame them. I give them credit.” At a prior White House event President Trump hosted TSMC chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家), head of the world’s largest and most advanced chip manufacturer, to announce a commitment to invest US$100 billion in America. The president then shifted his previously critical rhetoric on Taiwan and put off tariffs on its chips. Now we learn that the Trump Administration is conducting a “trade investigation” on semiconductors which
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
RSS