In a democracy, every citizen has one vote through which they can elect their head of state, local leaders and representatives at the local and national levels. Civic rights, however, are not limited to casting that sacred vote, and only by providing a series of pre- and post-election measures will we be able to use the democratic system to fully manifest the fundamental principle that sovereignty lies with the people.
Although Taiwan has held many elections, there hasn't been much progress in either election format or attitudes. Many voters have no idea what their candidate stands for, or in what way that candidate might influence the creation of public policy.
Taiwanese voters are affected by personal, local and profit factors -- all of which are far removed from the idea of voting according to one's own free will. Voters also lack an understanding of how to continue to monitor their representatives' performance -- which has resulted in several elected politicians displaying quite repulsive behavior. The chaos in the legislature and the self-enriching legislation recently passed by the Taitung County Council are only the tip of the iceberg.
This is also why we should approach the legislative elections in January and the presidential election next March by asking whether there is a possibility to improve or completely redo elections so that voters can make their choice based on more complete information.
Loud and raucous campaign events don't normally occur in more advanced democracies, which usually use modern technology so that voters of different backgrounds can discuss issues that are of concern to everyone and check the reaction of candidates by asking them direct questions through electronic media.
One example is the recent debate between the Democratic Party's presidential hopefuls in the US where questions were gathered by CNN and YouTube. This approach allowed more people to participate directly in the democratic process.
What is stopping Taiwan from trying the same approach? I hope that the candidates, parties, nongovernmental organizations and the general public will be able to push for open and rational debate ahead of next year's polls. This would not only demonstrate democratic maturity, but would provide a channel by which voters can examine the candidates and their platforms.
Only if next year's elections lead to the introduction of new and innovative mechanisms for public participation will our election process move toward a more advanced democratic culture and improve the chances that competent legislators and a competent president are elected.
Ku Chung-hwa is a professor of sociology at National Chengchi University.
Translated by Perry Svensson
KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) recent visit to Beijing and her upcoming visit to Washington will serve as a high-level test of her diplomatic mettle. In Beijing, Cheng was received with symbolic gestures, a warm reception, and high-level access. In Washington, she will receive far less pomp and far sharper questions about the KMT’s vision for the future of Taiwan. Her challenge will be to persuade Washington that the KMT’s engagement with China can coexist with strong deterrence. Cheng’s April 7-12 visit to mainland China coincided with an intense period of conflict in Iran. Despite the strategic significance of Cheng’s trip,
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent the vast Asian chemicals industry into a tailspin. Deprived of the likes of Qatari natural gas and Saudi Arabian oil, the region’s fertilizer and plastics plants are slowing production or even shutting down. Everywhere except China, that is. In petrochemicals, China is unique. As well as a traditional industry that uses oil and gas as feedstock, it has parallel output that relies on its abundant domestic coal. Unsurprisingly, India and other regional powers want to copy and paste the Chinese method. This would not be easy — or climate friendly. The
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto says he knows how to fix the problems facing Indonesia. Yet his economic mismanagement and authoritarian tendencies are steering the nation toward a familiar mix of currency instability and political chaos. The world’s fourth-most populous nation risks reversing the hard-won democratic and business reforms that came after the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. At that time, the rupiah collapsed and the political upheaval that followed forced former president Haji Mohamed Suharto from power. Prabowo’s administration is ignoring similar warning signs. That disconnect was apparent in a national address on Wednesday, when Prabowo projected the swagger that has
“Of course you can choose not to be Taiwanese, just do not stay here,” chairwoman of Taipei 101 operator Taipei Financial Center Corp Janet Chia (賈永婕) said in an online interview with local entertainer Tai Chih-yuan (邰智源), triggering intense discussion on social media, with politicians across party lines weighing in. In the interview, which was aired on May 14, Chia and Tai’s discussion over a meal in Taipei 101 covered Chia’s career change from entertainer to chairwoman and US climber Alex Honnold’s free solo climb up the Taipei 101 building. During the interview, Chia said, “Being on this land, we
RSS