Mon, Jan 22, 2001 page8

• Editorial: Public referendum is the answer

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  Previously suppressed social forces were released when Taiwanese society shed its totalitarian bondage and moved into a new democracy. Emerging diversity immediately brought turbulence, as forces pressed for democratic reforms and existing special interest groups instantly began fighting. Explosive political struggles are taking place constantly, especially in the legislature.

  In this stormy era, ethnic divisions and the sudden halting of economic growth are threats to the newly installed democratic system. These are closely related to the political chaos and economic depression facing our country. The issue of national identity is related to ethnic tension. In each election, ethnic issues more or less effect different groups of voters. After the new administration stepped in, our country's economic growth nosedived, creating panic and complaints. Several major proposals for political reform are facing resistance from special interest groups, which is making democratic reform extremely difficult. People are waiting for the full benefits of the new democracy.

  Take the controversy over the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, for example. Had the new administration been more flexible and opted for a public referendum, then there never would have been a motion for a presidential recall. There never would have been the soap opera over whether to recall the president and vice president at the same time, either. We would not now have to debate about whether to cast a vote of no-confidence against the premier. Since we are a democratic country that follows the rule of law, the legitimacy of the government naturally comes from the popular majority's support for the government's policies. However, no one seems to know whether the popular majority supports the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant or not. The legislative majority KMT thinks it represents the popular majority in requesting an immediate resumption of construction. The Presidential Office and the Executive Yuan believe that as their opposition to the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant was a campaign promise and that they are supported by popular will. When will such debates ever end? Why not just hold a public referendum to end all the controversy?

  The government remains unwilling to hold public referenda on major policy issues, yet many dubious "opinion polls" have been conducted. From the electronic media to the printed media, everyone is joining in the craze. Virtually everyone has a poll to show that they are firmly in touch with what is "newsworthy." However, the design of an accurate poll is money, time, and energy consuming. Interviewing is an even greater task. Undertaken without care, we easily end up with deceptive poll results. In the end, those suffering the most from such poorly-designed polls may very well be the individuals and organizations that conduct the polls.

  Pathetically, a significant number of Taiwanese politicians have repeatedly resorted to such disreputable polls for self-promotion, further misleading the public and living out the maxim that "politics is the highest form of trickeries."

  Democracy in Taiwan is not yet secure. The Fourth Nuclear Power Plant controversy deriving from the change of power between the new and old governments has hurt both the opposition and the ruling party. We really don't need polls fabricated in the name of academic studies. And we don't need ludicrous politicians to make groundless accusations based on phony records. It is unwise to pour salt on an open wound.
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