In traditional Chinese political culture, as Confucius (
Although Taiwan has already undergone democratization and modernization, the ghost of such a culture has not left us. It still dominates the thinking and behavior of the academic and political elites. It was under such circumstances that KMT officials enjoyed wealth and glory for over half a century. After the party was removed from power, it failed to accept its defeat. Even former president Lee Teng-hui (
Today, the DPP is in power, and the people of Taiwan, who have very high expectations of the party, continue to crane their necks as they look forward to new faces and policies. Unfortunately, their necks are already stiff and sore, but signs of reform have been hard to come by.
Some people may feel disappointed in the government. But this is a little unfair. President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen is willing, but unable, to push forward other major policies, including constitutional reform, reconstruction of central government, reorganization of local administrative districts and electoral reform. Even taking one step forward, as the old Chinese saying goes, is difficult (
Consider his personnel appoint-ments for example. The tangwai (non-KMT) movement, the DPP and people like me who firmly support democratization have long advocated abolishing the Examination Yuan and the Control Yuan. In fact, the new Examination Yuan President Yao Chia-wen (
But once the DPP came to power, many of its politicians abandoned their principles and fought for high-ranking posts that should have been abolished -- as if we were returning to Chinese feudalism.
However, such criticism may be unfair. Since the DPP must follow the rules, its members have no choice but to take these posts before reform has been achieved. But, they must adopt new styles and approaches.
First, Yao and the other Examination Yuan members should study, promote and prepare for the abolition of their yuan. We will truly have a fresh political scene if they can accomplish this goal within their six-year terms. The Control Yuan should also abolish itself.
Second, if Chen is re-elected in 2004, he should reform the Constitution within his next term, turning the chaotic five-branch government into a three-branch government and make the semi-presidential system into a fully presidential one. This would be a significant contribution to Taiwan, which will uplift and inspire the people.
Of course, the new DPP Examination Yuan members must not become conceited after taking their posts. I've seen too many DPP officials lose their heads with success. They have put on "bureaucratic airs" and forgotten who they are after taking their posts. Their large retinues, luxurious cars and houses are stunning.
Chen set a good example, therefore, by cutting his and the vice president's salaries after he came to office. Perhaps Yao can also announce a cut in his salary after taking the post to demonstrate a new style, proving that officials do not necessarily need to become wealthy.
Recently, my old friend Kang Ning-hsiang (
It is to be hoped that my old friend Yao will also adopt this approach. One can understand that in the current environment it is difficult to promote major policy measures. But it will be very difficult to understand and very disappointing if the DPP does not even try to eliminate the rotten, traditional Chinese political culture.
Chiou Chwei-liang is a visiting professor in the Graduate Institute of Southeast Asia Studies at Tamkang University.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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