Politics can be vulgar and dirty, but it can also be clean. A government can be autocratic and corrupt, but it can also be democratic and open, and look after its land and people. Similarly, our politicians can be sincere, honest, selfless and devoted.
A successful statesman does not necessarily have a high position, great fame or incomparable achievements. But he must possess certain admirable characteristics.
In recent years, I often talk about the story of a great statesman who is unknown in this country and has been forgotten by many in his motherland.
The true statesman that I highly respect is Leon Blum, who became the leader of the French Socialist Party before World War II broke out.
Blum was a lawyer, poet and art critic when he was young. Driven by his personal commitment to justice and equality and his love for human beings, he became a politician. In 1936 he also became the first socialist prime minister of France.
Later during World War II, Germany took over France and quickly established the Vichy government (1940-1944), which collaborated with Nazi Germany. Blum refused to recognize this puppet government, and turned down others' advice to temporarily leave the country.
He said that since he was once a public figure who was in charge of the public affairs of France, he should not leave the country then because he once represented France in the eyes of the world.
This admirable sentiment landed him in a Nazi prison.
After the war, the French people enthusiastically debated their political future, to decide whether to adopt a presidential, cabinet or semi-presidential system.
But this respectful statesman only told them sincerely and earnestly: France's biggest problem is the decline of political ethics, not the poor political system.
Political ethics is not the cultivation of one's personal habits. It is the deep understanding of the fact that politics is the handling of public affairs, the commitment to fulfill one's political obligation and the guts to take political responsibilities.
A politician must ask him or herself at all times: Is my every word and deed based on public interest? Am I improving public welfare? Am I carrying out my political obligations, and taking political responsibility?
Have I done my utmost to overcome my personal weaknesses, such as cowardice, laziness, vanity, greed and an obsession with power?
When my own weaknesses damage public interest, have I irresponsibly covered up or even beautified these weaknesses with some impressive but empty words?
In Taiwan, the one-party autocracy that ruled for five decades ended in 2000. It was a significant change in the development of the country's democracy, and troubles were certainly inevitable.
Recently, however, many politicians have shown a disregard for right and wrong, and engaged in shocking and vicious struggles that trample on public welfare.
Some blame this on the poor design of the nation's constitutional system. But in fact, the root of the problem lies in the corrupt minds and chaotic values created by long-term autocratic rule, under which the Taiwanese people had neither the intention nor ability to monitor and pressure politicians.
As a result, politicians flout ethics and recklessly play power games to fulfill their selfish desires.
In this chaotic situation, I deeply hope that all of us can be inspired by Blum's words and deeds.
Lin I-hsiung is a former chairman of the DPP.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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