Currently, Taiwan’s political arena faces significant challenges with rampant partisan conflict and a split government. Amidst the disarray, a former head of state has made an uncommon public appeal for cohesion. Representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Taiwan’s first president, Chen Shui-Bian, during his address, urged everyone to engage in conversations and balance mutual respect in addressing the divisions that exist in the society. While speaking at the Ketagalan Institute, the organization he had established to mentor future politicians, his comments have the potential to serve as a healing message for many people throughout the island to stimulate tensions.
A Lesson in Democracy: Tolerance and Dialogue
As he spoke, Chen praised democracy as the only political system that provides power to the people, supports the separation of powers, recognizes pluralism, and subjects all to scrutiny. He emphasized that in a democratic society, no individual possesses ultimate power, control is widely shared, and people should not be labeled as supporters for holding different opinions. This suffices as his answer, the crux of his message to a politically divided society, emphasizing acceptance and discourse.
Drawing on Experience: Navigating a Divided Government
When reporters pressed him on how Taiwan’s political cavern could be narrowed, especially under the split-governance conditions and the latest no-confidence vote against the cabinet Taipei’s mayor summoned, he avoided answering the questions in regard to the political reality of the day. Instead, to his first presidency (2000) recollections, when Taiwan was under unified control, Chen’s DPP was not in a commanding position, which led to them being heavily opposed by practically the entire government.
While recounting his experiences, Chen mentioned his strategy for dealing with political opponents amidst a difficult situation. He explained that, for example, he did not fire his critics, such as the chief military commanders, as he instead decided to tolerate them and treat them with respect, enabling coexistence instead of conflict.
A Suggestion of Leadership: Concessions to Allow for Dialogue
“Chen believed that the opposition is not dealt with best by simply removing them from the system. He reminisced about a crucial time shortly after his Yuanshi term commencement. At this time, he invited his electoral rivals, Soong and Lien, to a summit. His willingness to engage with his political rivals demonstrated that he believed divisive gaps could be closed with communication.”
Chen pointed out that individuals in power must, above all, make an effort to communicate with one another. He claimed, “In truth, it is the ones who hold power and don’t hold official positions that should be the first to facilitate dialogue.” He advised that head figures realize the need to make tangible efforts for engagement if hope is to be realized.
The Dilemma Today: Reflections of Historical Choices
As Chen’s message emphasized democratic participation, some stakeholders seemed to view it as an offhand comment and mild reproach towards the ruling DPP government’s ongoing tensions with the opposition-controlled legislature. The political stalemate has intensified public discourse and generated a discourse on governance “paralysis.”
An Extended Conflict: History and Today
To further complicate matters, Chen later defended his support of DPP-sponsored laws authorizing mass recalls of KMT lawmakers. Although he, as a party member, endured four separate recall motions, he professed, “I will support to the end.” This highlights the startlingly simple yet deeply convoluted world of Taiwanese partisan politics.
The history of Chen is marked with incredible limelight as well as extreme shadow. He served as Taiwan’s first DPP president in the year 2000, but in his later years was impeached for corruption, which culminated in him being incarcerated in 2008 and sentenced to twenty years in prison. Other than his outright support of political reconciliation, these events in history make his stance astonishing.
A Divided Nation’s Call for Solidarity
Shui-bian, one of Taiwan’s former presidents, is known for his public speeches and has addressed the nation on a rare occasion, appealing to the people in Taiwan’s discourse today. Most importantly, he discussed the dialogue process: “As long as everyone is willing to make small concessions, things can get on. I suppose we can try and work together as a divided nation.” His remarks capture that essential political future. Is anyone in Taiwan’s discourse willing to listen and follow? I suppose only the future can tell us the answer. Still, his involvement supports the notion that people in Taiwan’s developed society require measures of refined engagement to preserve health, trust, and stability needed in Taiwan’s democracy.
