The DPP's descent into nihilism

From the disintegration of the new Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) movement, proposed before the three-in-one local elections last December, and the cancelation of the party's debate on its China policy to the recently proposed party affairs conference, the DPP is facing serious challenges to its power. And now, in the face of the "Ma phenomenon" -- referring to Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) -- "nihilism" has replaced the DPP's romantic "revolution."

The DPP's rise was not a result of a revolution led by a charismatic leader. Various factions were brought together under one party, united only by their opposition to the KMT's authoritarian rule. The party's elite came together not in pursuit of a common ideology but rather their own self interest.

As such, this curious mix of followers of liberal democracy, socialism and Taiwanese independence still had to shed some of their romantic revolutionary ideals to be able to advance together under their anti-KMT banner.

Unfortunately, after the DPP came to power, it became prey to corruption and poor administration, giving the opposition KMT a weapon to attack the administration. The lure of financial gain in China has also shaken the DPP's support base.

In the face of such attacks from both inside and outside the country, the party is beginning to show signs of defeat, and is seemingly incapable of fighting back. And with the appearance of the "Ma phenomenon," the KMT has once again consolidated its power behind one "strongman." With the KMT riding high politically and socially, and overshadowing an incompetent DPP, the DPP's descent into nihilism seems complete.

The most frightening aspect of the DPP's nihilism is that its members appear to have forgotten who they are and who their enemies are. The risk to this is that they may act like Don Qui-xote, who took the windmill to be his enemy, or they may attack their own party in the same manner as Chinese academics who turned on their own culture by saying they had been "weaned on the milk of wolves."

As a consequence, the enemy is growing stronger and stronger, while the DPP is falling apart as members seek to escape or choose to attack each other. Even a sense of Taiwanese identity -- the only value worth fighting for -- has become a taboo.

The DPP needs to save itself by casting off this nihilistic attitude and reviving the spirit of the Hand-in-Hand Rally on Feb. 28, 2004. This is key to revitalizing the party.

Wang Kun-yi is an associate professor in the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies at Tamkang University.

TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG