In the midst of the nation's struggle to adapt to its democratic transformation, Taiwan Television Enterprise Ltd (TTV) on July 13 broadcast a documentary titled Taiwan's Road to Democratization (台灣民主化之路). The documentary serves as a timely reminder to those who were part of the process of political reform that they should look back and retrace their steps -- not to reminisce about the past, but to learn for the future.
The documentary takes its cue from former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) perspective and time in power. Although it is true that Taiwan's road to democracy stretches further back, Lee's 12 years as president and chairman of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) placed him in a unique position to comment on the process of change.
Another reason for taking Lee's perspective is the transfer of power following the 2000 presidential election. If President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had not been elected, making the Democratic Progressive Party (DDP) the ruling party, the KMT's pro-China fundamentalists would have maintained their hold on power and Lee's democratic achievements might not have remained intact.
Lee was a product of the times, but he also shaped the times. Unexpectedly, he, a native Taiwanese, became the president of the Republic of China and the leader of a foreign regime. Leading an unwilling KMT, he localized both the ROC and the KMT, im-buing them with a flavor that was uniquely Taiwanese. Although the road toward localization is far from complete, Lee laid a strong foundation for the transformation.
Lee began his career in politics by chance, but grasped the opportunity with both hands. His opportunities differed from Peng Ming-min's (彭明敏), and they differed from those of his KMT rivals in the 1996 presidential elections, Lin Yang-kang (林洋港) and Chiu Chuang-huan (邱創煥). Lee was supported by the pro-localization faction in the KMT, the DPP and by Taiwanese society, a situation that can be contrasted to that of Chen, who never managed to gain the support of the KMT's pro-localization faction.
Lee is also who he is because of his beliefs and his will. He has lived through an era when Taiwan has been influenced by both Japanese and Chinese governments. His knowledge and education gave him the deeply rooted beliefs of a free, modern man. His will to power is the manifestation of his strength and spirit, and this has allowed him to pursue his ideals in the face of problems.
Chen and the DPP are Lee's successors, and they must shoulder a heavy burden on the road toward Taiwan's democratization -- the burden of both power and responsibility.
Lee Min-yung is a poet.
Translated Lin Ya-ti
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