Former president Lee Teng-hui (
Although Lee's views have drawn fierce criticism from dark green supporters, these critics have failed to consider the content of his statements and instead flatly condemned him for betraying the independence cause. Some even said that he is changing his line to attract votes. This only proves Lee's criticism -- that the Taiwan independence issue has already become an ideological battle where one's political stance is the only thing that counts and the right or wrong of the discourse is of no concern. This is indeed the dangerous and regressive ideology that Lee is concerned about.
Lee's change of heart is actually traceable. His dislike of President Chen Shui-bian's (
Corruption is a universal evil and something that everyone should denounce and spurn with contempt. Deep green supporters, however, have chosen to defend it in the name of "safeguarding the localized regime."
Lee called on the public on Aug. 14 last year to stop using the term "pro-localization regime" in favor of saying "a pro-Taiwan awareness regime."
He believes any regime that upholds Taiwanese awareness and focuses on national interests can be called a pro-localization regime. He has clearly already recognized how some are using the term "pro-localization regime" as a political tool, and this is the phenomenon that worries him the most.
During the authoritarian era, Lee awakened Taiwanese consciousness, laying the foundation for Taiwan's democracy. This is his greatest contribution to Taiwan. Such self-awareness was necessary in an era dominated by Chinese ideology. Unfortunately, Taiwanese awareness was exaggerated during the democratization process, and dissenting ideas were suppressed which led to social tension and confrontation. Lee is not without responsibility for this, and rather than denying this, he should engage in self-reflection.
Still, it is rare for an 85-year-old man to so bravely stand up and change his past opinions and approach, despite the fact that he may lose public support for doing so. This is indeed admirable. The turning point of his change is of course Chen's corruption. Faced by corruption, the DPP and its deep green supporters show no signs of reflection and they suppress every call for reform, instead treating reformists as "bandits."
The way these DPP supporters hold to a political stance, and ignore right and wrong, finally caused Lee to realize that Taiwan awareness could lead to regression and danger, and this was key to his change of heart.
For Lee's statements to become effective, using a perspective outlined in "game theory," the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) or the pro-unification camp must respond to this call and at least temporarily put aside the "eventual unification" and "anti-independence" discourses. This is the only way to stop the competition and confrontation.
Moreover, the KMT should also revisit the issues relating to peoples' livelihoods and resuscitate important bills delayed by the legislature, such as the annual budget, the US arms procurement plan and the approval of new Control Yuan members. This would produce a follow-up effect which could consolidate public opinion and move Taiwan towards a "positive game."
Identity is the basis of one's existence and a source of emotion and energy, and there is nothing wrong with that. But in the democratic era, especially in a divided society, it is also the source of conflict and confrontation, and for this reason, such sentiment should be kept to oneself. During discourse and action in the public domain, people should respect the rules of the democratic game and show tolerance and respect for those with a differing identification. By doing so, we can develop trust within society and reach a gradual consensus, and society can open up and continue to advance.
However, identity itself is not dangerous. Only by opening the door to one's own identity is it possible to clarify the differences between one's own and other people's identity through interaction with others, thus discovering and defining one's own identity. This kind of identity is organic, dynamic and alive.
Hopefully, Lee's suggestions can provide society with a chance to start over. It is also to be hoped that the pan-blue and pan-green camps could show mutual respect on this basis and develop trust and consensus. This is the only solution to Taiwan's current predicament within the international community. It will also strengthen Taiwan, enabling it to better deal with a changing world. This is what is meant by a progressive identity.
Lii Ding-tzann is a professor at National Tsing Hua University's Graduate School of Sociology.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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