Political parties' mobilization capabilities have been challenged by the rise of the electronic media. During campaigns, candidates with charisma make use of the national media to directly appeal for the electorate's support. Even in countries with cabinet systems, charismatic candidates such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Germany's ex-Chancellor Helmut Kohl and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are widely perceived as their parties' most important assets in attracting voters.
Finally, voters are sick and tired of the similar political policies and endless scandals of both the KMT and the opposition, and this leads to "party de-alignment" as well as the decline of political parties.
Some scholars believe that during the past few years, some political parties in Western countries have striven to reform their organizations and to strengthen their policy-making process -- both signs of of "restoration" and "transformation." Still, most scholars believe the decline of political parties is a common phenomenon.
The above-mentioned symptoms of decline in Western countries have, to a certain degree, emerged in Taiwan as well in recent years. The image, charisma, agenda-setting and capability to control the media of both the party-nominated and independent candidates in the March presidential election have become the major factors of the campaign. Political parties have taken a secondary role.
As for organizational mobilization, some major presidential candidates have transcended the traditional party's mobilization systems to establish alliances that can reach out to the voters. The candidates' campaign headquarters have played a leading role, as local party organizations are relegated to second place if used at all.
All these phenomena show that in Taiwan, party politics seems to be confronting a crisis of decline before it has even had a chance to grow.
No matter who wins the March election, political parties may continue to decline. What impact this will have on Taiwan's party politics in the future is worthy of study and concern.
Wang Yeh-lih is chairman of the political science department at Tunghai University.
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