Taiwan's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial to fade into history

Joel LintonNov 23rd, 2007 - 05:05:37

It is hard to remove the influences of an authoritarian era on a newly democratic country, especially if the regime embraced democracy kicking-and-screaming so to speak, as a last resort.

With 50 years of propaganda in the school systems of Taiwan --- where children learned to revere the dictator Chiang Kai-shek and look up to KMT elites, where they also learned more about the economy and geography of some far province of China than their own homeland, where they were taught to name successions of Chinese emperors, but had little or know knowledge of their own 400 plus year history in Taiwan --- changes come slowly.

In a revolutionary war, or military coup, the change can come instantly, as the old regime and its adherents are expelled from the country and by fiat the entire education system's curriculum can be changed. But Taiwan's revolution was peaceful and democratic after the countless sacrificed lives of human rights and pro-democracy activists, and the suffering of so many political prisoners and their families. The internal and international pressure mounted so much that Chiang Ching-kuo had to declare and end to 'martial law.' But it was not until after his death and his then vice president, Lee Teng-hui, a Taiwanese man, became president that he was able to reform the country and finally introduce full democratic elections in 1996.

Actually, if there had been a war or a military coup to overthrow the KMT authoritarian regime back then before China became so economically powerful, then probably every country in the world would have already recognized the nation of Taiwan. But because it was a democratic change pushed by those who embrace non-violent protest like Gandhi in India, the changes came so slow, that it is only in the final year of the second term of the DPP president that headway can begin to be made on transitional justice.

During the past 8 years after the KMT lost the presidency, the KMT controlled legislature has used every trick to block democratic reform and oppose any activities of the executive branch (including blocking any budget to purchase arms to upgrade Taiwan's defensive capabilities). So, many now worry that if the KMT are able to win the presidency in the election next year, then they will push back all the democratic progress made in the past 8 years. On the other hand if the DPP can win both the legislature and the presidency this time around, there might be a good chance that in the next four years lasting change can be made.

Elitism does not readily give way to the common man.

So depending on the outcome of the elections next year, Taiwan might be again subject to a Chiang Kai Shek airport, memorial hall, and CKS statues reminscent of Joseph Stalin or Kim Il-sung replaced all over Taiwan.

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Taiwan PatriotNov 24th, 2007 - 03:16:25

And what of the corrupt DPP government? Why do you fail to mention that Joel Linton?

Instead of running away from each and every article after posting comment, why not stay and debate?

You're saying that Taiwan will regress back to an authoritarian government if (when) the KMT wins next year? Why are you so immature? What evidence do you have that this current incarnation of the KMT is like it's authoritarian type decades ago?

By your logic, due to all the DPP corruption scandals (I can name them ALL for you if you want), does that mean future Taiwanese voters should always associate DPP with corruption? You seem to be doing it with the KMT and authoritarianism.

I know you have your agenda that you want to let out and I know you want all articles on Monsters And Critics to be anti-China (whether or not it's true) and 100% pro-Taiwan-independence. Instead of constantly complaining, why not get a job with Monsters and Critics and change it from within? Why not start your own pro-independence news site and post your own articles there?

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