Sat, Mar 13, 2004 page8

• Editorial: The referendum serves all of Asia

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  While some people around the world were concerned about whether China would react in a military way to the peace referendum on March 20, most overlooked the fact that Taiwan would also be holding a peaceful presidential election -- and a referendum on the future of Asian democracy.

  To look on the bright -- and constructive -- side, if the election and referendum proceed in a smooth and orderly way, without sparking significant cross-strait tensions, Taiwan could be in the vanguard of building a new Asian democracy. This notion of "new Asian democracy," characterized by people's power to achieve a deepening of democracy through institutionalized mechanisms, will have unprecedented effects on major nations in the region.

  Asia has become a focus of democracy theorists' attention in recent years because of its democratic consolidation. Both South Korea and Taiwan accomplished the first peaceful transfers of political power in their history. Hong Kong residents, after experimenting with China's formula of "one country, two systems" for some years, took to the streets in protest of Beijing's infringing on their human rights.

  The Asian community captured worldwide attention for its potential to internalize democratic principles in people's daily lives.

  Good news does not last long. In three global waves of democratization, many countries -- including some in Asia -- have completed transfers of political power but are either still mired in trouble, or old authoritarian conservative political forces have made a comeback because the people could not put up with the pain of reforms.

  Cronyism still plays a role in some Southeast Asia democracies, which led to the resignation of presidents in the Philippines and Indonesia. Former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung's term was marred by his involvement with bribery for peace negotiations with the North. Kim's successor, Roh Moo-hyun, has been having a hard time dealing with domestic forces and was impeached by parliament yesterday.

  Overall, Asian democracy seemed to have lost its historical momentum at the turn of the new century.

  But the political landscape in Asia will be shaped by a new round of elections this year, which will open another gateway for building Asian democracy. Taiwan's election will be followed by congressional elections in Malaysia and South Korea, and presidential elections in the Philippines and Indonesia this summer. Taiwan will have legislative elections before the end of this year. Thailand may have parliamentary elections early next year.

  If President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is re-elected, Taiwan will be the first among Asia's new democracies to defeat its ancien regime in its evolution from authoritarianism to democracy.

  Since Chen's challenger -- Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰), along with his running mate People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) -- were both defeated in the last presidential election, their attempt to regain power is widely perceived as a resurgence of the conservatives and the old regime.

  Moreover, Chen's referendum will bring about further democratization in Asian countries.

  Indonesia and South Korea have both expressed interest in introducing referendums to solve policy and political disputes. Hence, Taiwan's implementation of the referendum mechanism could help establish an example for its Asian allies.

  What distinguishes Taiwan from China is this nation's embrace of and adherence to democracy. A "peaceful framework for cross-strait stability and interaction," embedded in the second referendum question, will demonstrate Taiwan's desire to solve cross-strait differences through democratic means.

  In this regard, the peace referendum should be valued by the entire Asian community.
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