The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has faced four crises since it came to power in 2000.
The first crisis was in 2001 when the nation posted an economic growth rate of -2.18 percent and unemployment rose to 5.17 percent, statistics that were unheard of since Taiwan became a industrialized nation. The second crisis occurred last year when pan-blue supporters took to the streets, denying the legitimacy of President Chen Shui-bian's rule (
Many attempt to ascribe the first crisis to the then international political scene. However, it is also true that there are people in Taiwan who do not regard the DPP as a trustworthy party. A governing party lacking people's trust should seek to convince the doubters of its sincerity by acting with integrity and contributing to the nation. However, voters handed Chen another mandate in last year's presidential elections. Therefore, the DPP was also given a second chance to run the nation. Afterwards, the results of the legislative elections were an indication that people were not satisfied with the DPP's performance. What's worse, the outcome of last Saturday's elections only served to reveal that people have now had enough of the DPP.
Thus, we must find out what went wrong within the DPP.
First, the DPP has failed to uphold its ideals. As an opposition party, the DPP championed independence and democracy and care for disadvantaged groups, clean government, Taiwanese awareness, as well as equality and justice and freedom of speech. In short, it was once a political party with unique characteristics.
Since it came to power, however, it has vacillated over whether it should lean toward the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) or the fundamentalist faction in the pan-green camp in order to become a party accepted by all Taiwanese. However, when the political climate did not allow the DPP to achieve what it aimed at, the party fell into indecision about what it actually stood for.
Second, the DPP is a short-sighted party. When it was not in power, the party endured hardship and enjoyed only limited resources. Unfortunately, it has been acting like a high-roller ever since it came to power, for it now has many political and economic resources at its disposal. What's more, both the Presidential Office and the Executive Yuan as well as different factions within the party have been scrambling for resources, rather than considering how to improve the national political system and reform policy.
If the DPP's leadership take a look at how people voted out the KMT in the 2000 presidential elections, they should be able to come to their senses and realize how short-sighted they have become.
Third, the DPP has ignored policy development. Both the DPP and the government shy away from an effective institute of policy studies. They are only willing to follow their instincts and stick with their known preferences when deciding national affairs, consulting former bureaucrats and governing the nation in a very disorganized manner. Additionally, since academics and experts have almost no say in the creation of government policy, they naturally are not willing to defend it.
As an opposition party, it can be critical of the government and thrive on its scandals. However, as a governing party, it has to consider the people's benefits in every decision it makes.
For example, the unfair tax system and the excessive pensions enjoyed by retired public servants should have been reformed long ago. However, these issues are always brought up just prior to elections. If a party is only hell-bent on winning elections rather than considering the sustainable development of the nation, it will only incur condemnation.
Fourth, the DPP tends to put incompetent people in important posts. Politicians like to promote their own henchmen rather than consider these people's abilities, and personalize the conduct of public affairs. When a certain faction within the party is able to access more resources within the government, its aim is often to promote the career of its own adherents rather than having them accumulate experience gradually and learn to be close to people. This led to politicians running for election in constituencies they have no connection with, and this has disrupted the government's support and morale.
Fifth, the president's would-be successors are scrambling for power in every possible manner. Aware of the possibility of becoming a lame-duck leader, Chen has given a free hand to party heavyweights to compete among themselves, creating conflict in the party which has hurt everyone.
But ultimately, the issue should be who can provide the greatest benefit to the people, rather than the future of various politicians' political careers. In view of this, we wonder if the DPP leadership has realized that it is wrong to only place emphasis on its own power while ignoring the development of the party and the nation.
Lin Wan-I is a professor in the department of social work at National Taiwan University.
TRANSLATED BY DANIEL CHENG
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