Dummies threaten DPP's future

Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文), a former national assembly member, is likely to be dismissed from the DPP's Taipei City branch, after commenting on the recent ear-licking scandal. If the party takes action against Cheng at this moment, the outside world will view her dismissal as an effort to stamp out dissent within the party.

Once actively groomed by the DPP's "New Tide" faction, Cheng has broken off relations with that faction. Her words and deeds have also gradually departed from the party platform. Her departure or dismissal from the DPP is, therefore, considered likely. But the DPP rarely dismisses junior members. Cheng is neither a government official nor a candidate.

Ever since President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) became party chairman, outsiders have wondered whether the DPP is about to become a one-man fiefdom. Unfortunately, the party's Central Standing Committee has not developed fully into a mechanism which will allow the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan,and the DPP caucus in the Legislative Yuan to communicate effectively with each other. The committee, in fact, has come to resemble that of the KMT: a rubber stamp. The fact that the Taipei City branch is preparing to dismiss Cheng from the organization over the "ear-licking incident" will only reinforce the view that the party is increasingly becoming autocratic. It is obviously not a clever political maneuver.

Disciplinary action against Cheng is viewed as necessary because of the response of DPP supporters to her comments. Under the DPP's regulations, those who defame party members or other parties are liable to have their party rights suspended. Her dismissal is probably seen as an opportunity for Taipei committee members to eliminate those who hold differing views, including Cheng who has a charismatic media presence to boot. Cheng's case is a simple power struggle. The inference that her dismissal will silence other party members, however, is exaggerated.

Cheng's case also highlights an underlying worry about the DPP's future -- its tendency to get rid of talented figures. How can the DPP contemplate dismissing someone like Cheng, whose educational background, oratorical skills and manifest charisma are such obvious assets? To get nominated and assume public office, the present middle-aged generation of DPP leaders only needed to show an excellent educational background and have their superiors recognize their worth. Such prerequisites, however, are things of the past.

Budding political stars must now survive the onslaught from established figures and their loyal ranks of "dummy members" (those inducted by particular factions or candidates, often corruptly). They must also stand up to the risk of party expulsion, a move which can be initiated by rivals taking advantage of the party machine. Under such circumstances, it is the grassroots politicians such as borough wardens, not the new stars, who are more likely to emerge from within.

Faction leaders not only control the party machine but are also in charge of nominations for public office. As politicians seek to ensure that "the rich water does not flow into the farmland of others" (肥水不落外人田), the trend toward family-dominated politics has become clear. An increasing number of posts are held by husband and wife teams, or father and son, brother and sister, and in-laws. The DPP is resembling the KMT more and more every-day. The root of such abuse is the prevalence of "dummy members." The case of Cheng, therefore, is not a result of of a one-person fiefdom, but of the abuse of talented members by "dummies."

The DPP may be in power but its lack of an absolute majority in the Legislative Yuan suggests that whether seeking the re-election of the president or majority support in the legislature, it must recruit deserters and rebels from grass-roots factions. As we saw from the DPP's recent anniversary celebration, its newest recruits are mostly former members of grassroots KMT factions. The traditional elite of the DPP risks being cast aside as these local factions become the "dummy members" within the party.

If the DPP continues along these lines, the change in quantity will lead to a change in quality. The party will then fall under the control of local factions just like the KMT did. The DPP will only decline and weaken further if no action is taken to encourage reform and innovation.

Jan Shou-jung is a legislative assistant.

Translated by Grace Shaw