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Identity issue the key in politics

There are three major factors influencing the nation's future -- the overall international situation, China's political, economic and military threats and the ideological divide among Taiwanese people. The first two factors are external, upon which we can exercise relatively little influence. The last factor is an internal problem, which we can control to a considerable extent.

But the nation's hard-won democratic system is beset with incessant political infighting between the ruling and opposition parties, but unlike in other democracies that are fraught with confrontation, little is yielded. The government's administrative efficiency has been seriously undercut as a result.

The public expected the transfer of political power to reshape domestic politics and remove deep-rooted abuses of the former KMT government. The possibility of reforms however seems to have faded because of the unification-independence ideological divide. Salt will once again be poured on the ideological wounds when the pan-blue and pan-green camps come to a showdown in next year's presidential election.

Recently, the KMT and the PFP have decided upon a joint presidential ticket. The so-called "Lien-Soong ticket,"in which KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) contends for the presidency with PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) as his running mate seems to have taken shape. These two parties' supporters are elated, believing that it will be not long before they can snatch back political power. Although the serious issue of power redistribution between the two parties will surface as the show goes on, the two parties appear to be deliberately avoiding this problem. Certain doom awaits their electoral cooperation.

Power distribution between the two parties is a matter of importance for the general public as much as it is for party loyals. What catastrophe would result from a "blue-green duel" brought about by the KMT-PFP alliance.

The nation's politics have developed against a unique historical background, which differs from most European and American political experiences. For instance, some commentators said the "semi-presidential" system is the source of our political chaos.

But the in-depth cause lies in the unification-independence ideological divide, the confrontation between Chinese and Taiwanese consciousness and first- and second-generation Taiwanese conflicting with Taiwanese who have longer ancestral lines on the island. The ideological divide is the single most serious crisis threatening Taiwan as a nation.

Confrontation between the pan-blue and pan-green camps is often interpreted as a prototype for a future bipartisan system. It will be a blessing for the people of Taiwan if American-style two-party politics can be carried out here. But the truth is the blue-green duel will usher in not a bipartisan system, but a unification-independence showdown. Both camps blame each other for fanning the flames of a destructive ethnic wildfire without realizing that the blue-green conflict is tantamount to ethnic confrontation.

Analyzing the KMT-PFP cooperation from this point of view, it is not difficult to understand why the Lien-Soong joint ticket heralds disaster for Taiwan. The current power structure, in which the KMT, PFP and DPP -- each standing alone on its own merit -- is one that can help douse the ethnic fires. The KMT stands for the pro-China faction, the DPP represents Taiwan and the PFP walks the middle of the road between the two. Since none of the three parties could hold a legislative majority, a coalition government would result.

Under this structure, national policy-making and the government's performance might be able to throw off the shackles of the unification-independence ideological divide. The opposition is distrustful of the government, seeing the DPP as a Taiwan-independence party and worrying that a well-functioning government means the sturdy growth of pro-independence forces. To sap pro-independence forces, they stop at nothing to paralyze the government, making it accomplish nothing and further luring the electorate into unseating the DPP next year.

It is all too clear that the Lien-Soong alliance will bring vehement conflicts between the pan-blue and pan-green camps. Politicians should consult their conscience. Does the blue-green confrontation beget a bipartisan system or simply worsen the unification-independence divide? Lien and Soong represent the ancient regime and should be responsible for its corrupt and autocratic ways. Both the KMT and PFP have ample young and capable talent who have a good image and need not bear responsibility for the past. Can they stand out in the upcoming presidential election?

"Where is the beef?" is not the right question. We instead should ask: How should voters tell politicians where the country should be heading in next year's presidential election? One thing is clear -- we want neither a blue-green duel nor ethnic confrontation. We want a simple, direct and unanimous national identity.

Allen Houng is a professor at the Institute of Neuroscience at National Yang-Ming University.

Translated by Jackie Lin
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