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Poll finds lack of optimism in politics

Index measurements • The public mood index this month was 37.4. • The political confidence index was 46.9. • The economic confidence index was 27.8. • Figures between 0 and 25 represent grave disappointment, 25 to 50 indicate disappointment, 50 to 75 indicate a little disappointment and 75 to 100 show satisfaction.

Despite public optimism that cross-strait relations will improve in the near future, a majority of people said they had little confidence in politics and the economy, a poll released yesterday by Global Views magazine found.

The survey, conducted between Nov. 14 and Nov. 18 of 1,000 adults, found that on a scale from 0 to 100, Taiwan’s public mood index (TPMI) for this month was 37.4.

The TPMI consists of two indexes: the political confidence index (PCI) and economic confidence index (ECI). The PCI was 46.9 this month, while the ECI was 27.8, its lowest point since President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) took office.

The current economic situation index was just 20.8 and the economic optimism index was 34.7.

Results between 0 and 25 represent grave disappointment, 25 to 50 represent disappointment, 50 to 75 mean a little disappointed and 75 to 100 indicate satisfaction.

The survey found the public was disappointed with the performance of both the ruling and opposition parties.

The poll placed the political optimism index (POI) at 47.8. Pollsters attributed the higher POI this month to the meeting between Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) and Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) and the four agreements they signed.

The poll showed the ruling side trust index was 46.3.

Ma’s trust index was recorded at nearly 50, up 4.3 points from last month. Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) was rated about 45, an increase of 1.7 points.

While the trust index of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) grew by 3.4 points to 44.4, the opposition sides trust index was 35.4.

The trust index of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was 39.1, a drop of 11 points. About 55 percent of the respondents considered Tsai “irresponsible” in dealing with the protest it organized during Chen’s visit, although DPP backers supported Tsai’s performance.

The DPP’s trust index was recorded at 31.7, the lowest since it became a minority party in the legislature.

Pollsters said the changes in confidence levels for politicians and political parties might be related to the eased cross-strait relations, the corruption allegations against former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and the four cross-strait agreements.

Given Chen’s corruption scandal, the detention of DPP politicians and the global economic crisis, respondents said they were pessimistic about political stability next month, although they were upbeat about the prospect of easing cross-strait ties.
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