Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) frequently uses the word “populist” in her Facebook posts, with phrases such as “populist rule,” “populist bullying” and “Taiwan’s politics are increasingly populist.”
So, what exactly is populism? Wikipedia is clear about the term’s ambiguity.
“The term populism is one of the least precisely defined terms used in social sciences,” the Chinese-language Wikipedia Web site says, adding that populism is usually the opposite of elitism, that supporters of populism appeal for direct and grassroots democracy, that it opposes the elite and is contrary to their opinions, and is seen by elitists as synonymous with provoking ethnic conflict for political interests.
It seems that populism is pretty neutral. Then why is such a stigma attached to it and why is it equated with instigation or mob violence?
Populism is really just a phenomenon, but, just as the sea can float a boat or capsize it, a phenomenon can be used for reform or for disaster and destruction.
Adolf Hitler’s Nazism in Germany, China’s Cultural Revolution, Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution, Taiwan’s Sunflower movement and Hong Kong’s Umbrella revolution were all populist by nature, and they all brought both reform and disaster.
Hung’s use of the word “populist” is contemptuous and angry, akin to blame. Her use of the word confirms that she is among the elite and holds views contrary to public opinion.
The elitist Hung is able to use populism to provoke ethnic conflict for political gain, and the Hung who operates that elitist persona is a superb puppet master, which is both paradoxical and ironic.
Taiwan is a nation of immigrants and an ethnic melting pot. There were people who immigrated here before the Chinese and there will be those who come after.
The Qing Emperor Yongzheng (雍正) wrote: “Since ancient times Taiwan has not belonged to China. As emperor, I considered extending into the territory” — referring to the Qing court formally annexing the island in April 1684. There is evidence of ancient cultures all around Taiwan. Artifacts have been unearthed from the Changpin (昌平) culture in Taitung, dating from around 15,000 to 50,000 years ago. The mere 300 years of Chinese culture pales in significance compared with them.
Today, despite being born and raised in Taiwan, Hung and her ilk remain unwilling to integrate and accept Taiwan as their motherland; instead they try to force Taiwanese to consider China their motherland. Hung, et al., do not want Taiwanese to have any view of history other than China’s version. This is exactly the type of populism that provokes ethnic conflict for political gain.
As for Oct. 10: Hung’s party’s jubilant celebrations when they were in power compared with the clamorous demonstrations when they were in opposition present prime examples of populist bullying.
Talking about Taiwan and fawning over Japan and China can all be considered instigating ethnic conflict for political gain. Fawning over Japan is not labeled as populist, while fawning over China is sugar-coated as being “one family across the Taiwan Strait.”
Similarly, Hung, et al., condemned the Sunflower movement for being a populist act. However, former vice president Lien Chan (連戰) raising invalid complaints over the 2004 presidential election results and the “red shirt” movement forcing former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to resign were not considered populist actions, but simply a demand for truth and a blow against corruption.
What’s good for the goose...
Chang Kuo-tsai is a former deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan Association of University Professors.
Translated by Clare Lear
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