The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) finds itself in an extremely awkward position in the political and judicial battle involving former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration. The DPP has to consider the contributions of the former president and former party chairman, while promoting a political system that emphasizes human rights and an independent judiciary, which are essential for Taiwan to be considered a modern nation.
Much is at stake for the DPP. The problems caused by the scandal surrounding Chen are complex — involving intricate relationships between Chen supporters and DPP factions supporting Chen, the public’s attention, the party’s historical legacy and grassroots members. It seems the process of severing ties with Chen is becoming the surgical procedure of the century.
For the DPP, the problems created by Chen have not only caused tension and struggle between its factions, they have also had an impact on the DPP’s value system, organizational beliefs and political culture.
If the DPP still believes in the lofty values listed in its party program — such as independence, democracy, the rule of law, economic development, social welfare, education and national defense — it should use these values to contrast how its policies differ from the failed policies of the Ma administration and the problems created by Chen, which clearly are issues of Chen’s principles and personal integrity.
The party should separate the issue of its continued existence from Chen and the persecution he is receiving at the hands of a biased judiciary prejudiced by Ma’s government.
If the DPP still believes that a fair and just judicial system is a necessary part of establishing respect for human rights, they obviously must unify the party’s power. They must review redundant judicial procedures and monitor those involved in the judicial process to see whether they are abusing their powers, in order to correct the overemphasis on the duty to observe the law while neglecting to demand due process and substantive justice.
Therefore, in seeking judicial and social justice, the DPP must monitor prosecutors and judges and not allow allegations of immorality, political prejudices or personal emotions to affect the judicial process. The judicial process should be based on hard evidence and truth and procedural justice is necessary to achieve ultimate justice. This is not only the fundamental tenet and meaning of a system based on the rule of law, but is also the stepping stone needed to create a more democratic society characterized by the rule of law and the best way for the DPP to break the authoritarian system of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).
If the DPP still believes that another a change of political power is needed to consolidate Taiwan’s democracy and eradicate authoritarianism, the party must place an emphasis on clean, non-corrupt government and make it known that they still possess strong political capabilities.
The DPP must not lose its system of bureaucrats, which sits at the core of its competitiveness, just because the party is now in opposition.
The party must also draw up economic and trade policies that would promote development and bring the Ma administration from its misled, pro-China course to instead work for the nation’s international competitiveness.
In face of the scandal surrounding Chen, the DPP’s entire system, culture, policies and even historic legacy are at risk of evaporating.
If the DPP does not handle this crisis in time, democracy and progress will become mere dreams. If the various factions within the DPP miss this precious opportunity to re-establish the party, the DPP will become a small opposition party without a political program or real function.
All these issues are reflected in how the DPP chooses to view and respond to the Chen scandal. If the DPP take a clear stance on the scandal, it will highlight Chen’s own moral wrongdoing and the unfairness of the judicial process.
The KMT is now manipulating the scandal to cover up its own incompetence and this has already taken a load off Ma’s shoulders for his failure to improve things since his election.
The DPP does not need to get involved in the ongoing game between the Ma administration and Chen. However, it should not close its eyes to what is going on. The social problems, political chaos and failed economic strategies plaguing the nation are much more important than the problems surrounding Chen.
The DPP could show respect for Chen’s behavior, but cannot afford to ignore the crisis they are facing in terms of their own future existence as a political party. The scandal surrounding Chen may have revealed the systematic problems the DPP faces in its attempts to reform the party.
However, the DPP’s core values listed in the party’s program and held in the hearts and hopes of its supporters are what the DPP should focus on as it pursues reform.
Liu Dsih-Chi is an associate professor in the Department of International Business at Asia University.
TRANSLATED BY DREW CAMERON
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