On Friday last week, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislators engaged in clashes with their Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) counterparts during a Legislative Yuan session focused on a legislative reform bill, aimed at expanding the powers of the legislature to scrutinize the executive branch.
Regrettably, the clashes resulted in several injuries.
Another distressing aspect of all this is the series of unconventional behaviors displayed by the KMT and TPP in their joint grab for expanded legislative power.
The first psychological phenomenon occurred in the aftermath of the failed attempt by the two parties to join forces in a “blue-white” coalition in the run-up to January’s presidential election.
Even though that attempt fell through, the TPP is giving ample compensation to the KMT by providing unwavering support for its interests within the Legislative Yuan.
The second phenomenon is the TPP legislative caucus leader’s emotional regulation and people skills — or rather drastic lack thereof. Intelligence, composure, rationality and patience, as well as the ability to accept setbacks paired with a good sense of humor are all crucial qualities for any effective leader.
However, the hollering and angry outbursts from TPP caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) on Friday was nothing but distasteful.
The third phenomenon is the erosion of the TPP’s ability to define itself. The TPP’s founding purpose was alluring: “We are Taiwan, and we are the people. We firmly believe that politics should intertwine with the tapestry of everyday life. We are driven by our commitment to Taiwan’s best interest and our people’s greatest welfare. With us, Taiwan’s tomorrows aim to outshine its yesterdays.”
The purpose’s statement continued: “With tolerance and integration, we hope to end the ‘blue-green’ struggle for power and resolve ethnic divisions.”
The party’s founder and TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) had previously been elected as Taipei mayor, maintaining good relations with then-president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), thus raising considerable anticipation for collaborative efforts towards social stability and economic prosperity in Taiwan.
However, it remains unclear how hostility arose subsequently, prompting the TPP to align with other parties lacking a strong sense of Taiwanese identity.
This attempt to expand legislative powers at the expense of Taiwan’s best interests is cause for regret.
Hannah Arendt, author of Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil, once said: “Our decisions about right and wrong will depend upon our choice of company… Out of the unwillingness or inability to choose one’s examples and one’s company, and out of the unwillingness or inability to relate to others through judgment, arise the real skandala, the real stumbling blocks which human powers can’t remove because they were not caused by human and humanly understandable motives. Therein lies the horror and, at the same time, the banality of evil.”
The book also includes a convict’s statement: “He committed those crimes by following his conscience ‘as an official.’ His conscience ‘as individual’ on the other hand, was condemning these actions.”
Is it worth sacrificing oneself for power in such a way that damages both body and soul?
This article hopes to awaken the Taiwanese consciousness among members of the TPP.
Chen Chiao-chicy is a psychiatrist at Mackay Memorial Hospital and an adjunct professor.
Translated by Gabrielle Killick
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