Political Motivations for the Execution of Subway Killer Cheng Chieh?
The execution of MRT subway killer Cheng Chieh has provoked strong feelings in Taiwan. Cheng Chieh was the perpetrator of the subway stabbing attack in May 2014 which left 4 dead and injured 24. Cheng was 23 years old at the time of his execution. Not only has the execution led to renewed controversy over the place of capital punishment in Taiwan’s justice system, but many question whether the timing of the execution was politically motivated.
The WHO Debacle and Implications for the Upcoming Tsai Presidency
There is nothing particularly new about the WHO debacle in regards to what it means for Taiwan’s international status in the world, except recapitulating the same issues which have plagued Taiwan for decades regarding Taiwan’s lack of acknowledgement in the world and will continue to do so as long as Taiwan is yoked to the Republic of China framework. The WHO debacle, however, marks Tsai Ing-Wen’s first substantial engagement with issues concerning Taiwan’s lack of recognition in the lead-up to her presidential inauguration.
What Would An Expansion in the Definition of ‘Chinese’ Citizenship To Be Ethnic in Nature Mean?
Some have interpreted the recent arrests of Chinese with foreign citizenship to signal a shift in the Chinese government calling for loyalty to China on the basis of ethnicity, trumping all else. This would not be particularly surprising. In particular, Chinese citizens who obtain foreign citizenships actually automatically lose their Chinese citizenship. But this has been disregarded in the recent arrests of former Chinese citizens for political dissent, with the insistence that because they were once Chinese citizens, they can still be prosecuted under Chinese law.
Restrictions on Foreign NGOs in China To Target Domestic Chinese Civil Society?
If a recent law passed in China to regulate foreign NGOs have provoked much anxiety, this would only be the expansion of efforts by the Chinese government to control Chinese civil society. Of course, it is that Chinese civil society has seen increasingly restrictive measures under the Xi Jinping administration. The Chinese party-state has a general fear of -restrictionscivil society groups in China becoming a threat to its power. But in particular, the targeting of foreign NGOs also likely is aimed at clamping down on domestic NGOs.
Continued Provocations by Ma Ying-Jeou Regarding Disputed Island Territories
Why is Ma Ying-Jeou is making disputed South China Seas islands such an issue as of late, at risk of provoking tensions with neighboring countries? Ma’s actions regarding disputed South China Seas island territories as of late would seem to be beyond rhyme or reason. Ma’s actions may be wholly motivated by KMT ideology at this point.
Okinawa, Taiwan, and Japan
With recent attention paid to Chinese claims of sovereignty over Okinawa according to Chinese state-run media dating from 2013, we might examine the backdrop of these claims. A Japanese territory, containing American bases with over 25,000 servicemen, Chinese claims over Okinawa would be a provocation not only against Japan but also America. But what would the relation to Taiwan be?
What Happens Once Ma Ying-Jeou’s Presidential Term Ends?
What happens once Ma Ying-Jeou’s presidential term ends? With less than a month before Tsai Ing-Wen’s inauguration, what lies next for Ma Ying-Jeou? Obviously in a “normal” nation-state, transitions of power between ruling parties occur peacefully. Former presidents usually retire peacefully, though they may continue to weigh in on politics in varying functions. But the debate about what should be done with Ma Ying-Jeou after his term ends is reflective of how Taiwan is far from a fully democratized country.
The Real Black Box?: Taiwan and the TPP
Based on policy statements during presidential elections, the strategy of Tsai Ing-Wen’s incoming administration would seem to be highly focused on signing free trade agreements in order to improve Taiwan’s international standing. This includes signing free trade agreements with China and America alike, as well as with Southeast Asian nations and Europe. If opposition against signing the RCEP with China is to be expected, given that it is a free trade agreement with China and would likely serve as a means for China to diminish Taiwanese sovereignty through economic means, the question of whether to sign the TPP or not is a bigger question for some. Yet if the CSSTA provoked such blowback in 2014 as a “Black Box” pushed through legislature without discussion, the TPP may be no less of a black box.
The TPP, American Pork Imports, And The Geopolitical Realities Of Free Trade
Political opposition to American pork imports is shaping up to be a divisive issue concerning TPP ratification in Taiwan. What is at stake regarding American pork imports is the prospects of a bid from Taiwan to join the TPP. We might take a deeper look at the issue.
A Sign Of Future Attitudes From The DPP Towards Taiwanese Activists?
If recent comments by incoming DPP minister without portfolio Chang Ching-sen have drawn fire for their disdain of student protestors, perhaps this is a sign of what the DPP’s future attitudes towards Taiwan’s student protestors will be. Chang’s comments are revealing about the possible future for relations between activists and members of the Tsai administration.
多黨政治在臺灣的可能性
儘管民進黨在 2016 年大選一如預期當選了總統，也拿下國會多數，更加出人意表的則是時代力量這個從未參加過選舉的全新政黨異軍突起。而在最近這次選戰期間，我們看到了許多第三勢力政黨從太陽花運動過後的公民社會興起，包括時代力量、社會民主黨以及自由台灣黨。在這三個新政黨之中，唯有時代力量成功取得了立法院席次。但在時代力量、社會民主黨、自由台灣黨看來都有希望進軍國會的那段時期，我們注意到，關注臺灣政治的西方觀察家其實相當不安，他們擔心這會破壞掉臺灣兩黨政治的穩定結構。不過就算其他第三勢力政黨都未能成功取得立委席次，但在時代力量正積極於臺北之外的各地拓展權力基礎設立地方黨部之際，「多黨政治在臺灣是否可能」仍然是一個重大問題。
Is Taiwan A Third World Country?
Is Taiwan a third world country? There exists complications in asking this question, in the sense that there were two different versions of “three worlds” theory asserted during the Cold War. But the question has broader implications for Taiwan’s status as a country caught between the two superpowers of the United States and China.
The Hong Kong Airport Demonstration and Issues of Labor and Class in Hong Kong
Last week over one thousand gathered in demonstration in the arrival hall of Hong Kong International Airport. The sit-in was in demonstration of an earlier incident in which Leung Chai-Yan, daughter of Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung, left a piece of luggage outside of check in and called on her father to intercede in the matter. The demonstration was called for by the Hong Kong Cabin Crew Federation, a union for members of airplane cabin crews. But though this was a labor action, the labor angle of the demonstration has gone neglected.
Backlash Against The Cross Straits Oversight Bill From Activists
Controversy over the cross-straits oversight bill continues, with Sunflower activists criticizing the DPP’s version of the bill as insufficient in its ability to safeguard relations between Taiwan and China and demonstrating outside the Legislative Yuan on April 15th. The bill was originally proposed as a means to prevent a recurrence of the situation of a trade agreement with China being passed with little discussion of the measure in legislature, but the DPP under Tsai Ing-Wen still intends to pass the CSSTA trade bill which was what prompted the student occupation of the Legislative Yuan in 2014.
Differing Political Responses to the Kumamoto Earthquake From Taiwan
Two earthquakes struck the Kyushu region of Japan this week, with a total of 48 dead as of Wednesday. It may be of note to point out the differing responses from official bodies towards the earthquake. Donation funding after the quake has been a popular topic of discussion among citizens from China and Taiwan respectively.
Bipartisan Politics and Conflicts of Interests for the Tsai Administration
Given the prominence of entrenched political and business interests in Taiwanese politics and that this is well-known by the public, it is not surprising that the upcoming Tsai Ing-Wen administration is attempting to make a show of differing from political norms. We see this in current efforts to show that the Tsai administration will go beyond party lines in its political appointments and will not allow business interests to unduly influence it.
Questions of Justice in the Kenya Deportations?
Questions of justice and the law have been a constant in discussions of the case of Kenyan deportations of Taiwanese citizens to China. Although it is legal to deport individuals who have broken the law to a third country, it remains a question as to the proper legal actions in this case, and what would be the just solution. If it seems likely that Taiwanese criminals would get off without punishment had they been deported to Taiwan, the flipside of this is that legal punishment from China is likely to be overly severe and beyond the pale of justice.
A Pardon for Chen Shui-Bian?
With the second DPP administration under Tsai Ing-Wen incoming, the question of Chen Shui-Bian, the first DPP president and the only previous non-KMT in Taiwanese history, has once again become a political issue. The possibility of a presidential pardon for former president Chen Shui-Bian remains a divisive issue.
Mysteries Remain in Kenya Deportations
Mysteries continue to abound regarding the deportation of 45 Taiwanese from Kenya to China, with the overall circumstances of the deportation remaining unclear. The situation has become further complicated with televised confessions of guilt from suspects in Chinese state-run media and attempts by China to deport Taiwanese suspects to China from Malaysia. We might take a look.
From Populism to Localism
The talk on Hong Kong identity has rattled for so long in the political realm, marking the fact that the rise of localism, together with the rhetorical style it makes fashionable, has unfortunately crowded out the conversations on other more important institutional issues.
Chinese Media in Revolt?
Although always already precarious, press freedoms in China have seen a further downward spiral under the Xi Jinping administration as of late, recent events having raised fears regarding Xi’s incipient cult of personality and controls on media. Namely, a string of over 20 arrests have been made regarding a letter published on the partly state-backed Wujie News calling for Xi to resign.
The Formation of Demosistō in Hong Kong and Comparisons to 2016 Elections in Taiwan
Questions of activists entering electoral politics are back on the table in Hong Kong with the formation of the Demosistō political party from Umbrella Movement student leaders such as Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow. The formation of Demosistō occurs after the dissolution of the Scholarism, the student group which played a key role in the 2014 Umbrella Movement. We might draw comparison to the entrance of post-Sunflower groups into electoral politics in 2016 elections in Taiwan.
Chinese Kidnappings of Taiwanese Nationals in Kenya Provoke Fears, Outrage, Questions
Deportation of Taiwanese nationals from Kenya to China, rather than Taiwan, provokes anger. The Taiwanese nationals were arrested on charges of telecoms fraud, along with 54 Chinese. Originally ordered to leave the country within 21 days, despite having previously been acquitted, eight of the arrested Taiwanese were then deported to China rather than Taiwan after pressure from the Chinese government. After a period of time in which their fate was unclear, the other 37 subsequently were also deported to China. Though many mysteries remain to be clarified, we might take a look at the overall context of the incident.
The Possibilities for Multiparty Politics in Taiwan
Of these three newly formed parties which ran in 2016 elections, only the New Power Party would be victorious in getting a representative into legislature. However, during the period in time in which the New Power Party, Social Democratic Party, and Free Taiwan Party seemed like viable third parties that would get into legislature, we may note that there was in fact much anxiety raised from western observers of Taiwanese politics that this would result in an upset to stable two party politics in Taiwan. Despite the failure of other political parties to get into legislature apart from the New Power Party, questions about the possibility for multiparty politics in Taiwan remain salient. Is it possible for there to be multiparty politics in Taiwan?
Questions of Art and Politics In The Controversy Over Ten Years
Hong Kong film Ten Years would have come to the world’s attention after unexpectedly winning best film at the Hong Kong Film Awards. A dystopian speculative fiction film about Hong Kong in the near future under Chinese rule, the win has provoked controversy. What is controversial is the unorthodox nature of its victory and the questions of art and politics which are at stake.
Why Has Ko Wen-Je Seen a Drop in Popularity As Of Late?
Voted in during nine-in-one elections in 2014, Taipei mayor Ko Wen-Je came to the mayorship with a surge of popularity. But in recent weeks, Ko’s popularity has dropped to 30% and out of Taiwan’s mayors, he is ranked last in popularity. It would be that at a certain point, the Ko honeymoon came to an end. Why has Ko Wen-Je’s popularity suffered decline in recent weeks? We might take a look.
The Panama Papers and China’s Power Elite
What do the Panama Papers reveal about China’s power elite? And what possible implications could this have? What the Panama Papers would pose a challenge for is China’s current ongoing anti-corruption campaign. In the name of rooting out corruption, Xi Jinping has pursued the deposing of numerous powerful CCP leaders. Although it had been long rumored that the Xi family had substantial wealth of its own, Xi was aided in this by a reputation for being incorruptible, and some were willing to take Xi as being a genuine reformer. Certainly, the Panama Paper revelations would deal a blow to the credibility of Xi’s anti-corruption campaign, with Xi himself being implicated.
Why Does Everyone in Taiwan Want To Be Chinese After A Massacre Happens?
On March 28th, a child was ruthlessly murdered, leading to a tremendous panic in Taiwan. All kinds of methods to deal with the crime have been suggested, including: Requiring an identity card to purchase kitchen knives and everyday cutting tools. Reviving “guilt by association” from Taiwan’s martial law period, and make the parents of adult offenders also assume criminal responsibility. Strengthen police authority, and allow them the ability to force treatment on people affected with psychological disorders. Set up the death penalty as the only criminal punishment for child killers. Etc, etc. As for the reasons why these kinds of stabbing incidents have abruptly emerged in Taiwan over the last few years, both the local media and netizens have remained largely silent, and seldom discuss the issue.
雞生蛋還是蛋生雞？臺灣大眾媒體處理殺害兒童事件的議題設定
一位四歲女童最近遭到殘殺，使得死刑存廢爭議在臺灣再次浮上檯面。看來這樣的道德爭論似乎只在提供羶色腥報導素材的「震驚社會」新聞事件中才會出現。既然大眾媒體玩弄著標題殺人法為粉絲頁帶來的點閱人潮，死刑存廢的虛假爭論終究也只能餵養出一整代漠然而被動的個人。有些人會認為，羶色腥新聞由於其聳動標題，以及人類追根究柢的運作機制，才是真能在社會議題上引發興趣及主動「參與」的新聞型態；但我們今天所見的新聞類型卻一點都不像是在動員大眾參與社會議題，反倒只是把焦點從媒體基於選擇性利益而不去報導的迫切議題上轉移開來，同時向個人提供「虛假」議題，營造政治參與的幻覺。這麼做是服膺於利潤動機，畢竟媒體本身就是面向市場行銷的。比方說，「標題殺人法」的用處在於吸引點擊、評分、觀看及閱讀數量，利潤也由此而來。
The Controversy Over the Cross-Strait Oversight Bill
With the incoming Tsai administration less than fifty days away from office, it is now to be seen as to whether the DPP lives up to its campaign promises. Of course, concerning cross-strait relations, it will be seen as to whether the DPP fulfills the demand of Taiwanese civil society from 2014’s Sunflower Movement to the present calling for transparency and openness in cross-strait relations conducted between Taiwan and China. A draft bill to provide oversight regarding cross-strait relations is likely to be passed in the coming week, given the DPP-controlled legislature.
Questions of Political Transition of Power in Taiwan During the Ma-Tsai Meeting
Outgoing Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou and incoming president-elect Tsai Ing-Wen met in Taipei on Wednesday in order to discuss the upcoming transition of power between a KMT and DPP presidency. This will be the third presidential transition of power between parties in Taiwanese history, the first being the transfer of power from KMT to DPP with the victory of Chen Shui-Bian as the first non-KMT president in Taiwanese history in 2000, and the second being the transfer of power back to KMT hands with the victory of Ma Ying-Jeou in 2008.
Chicken or Egg?
The recent murder case of a four year old girl in Taiwan has brought the capital punishment debate back on stage. It seems that such ethical debates only seem to appear in the case of “shocking” news that provides opportunities for sensationalist journalism. As mass media rides the wave of clickbait streaming into their sites, the phony argumentation only proves to breed generation of nonchalant and passive individuals. We might consider the role of the media in the debate.
There Will Be Blood: Taiwan’s Rancorous Discourse On Capital Punishment
The ghastly random killing of a four-year-old girl in Neihu, Taipei on Monday has garnered widespread attention, nationally and internationally. What has almost simultaneously been triggered is a reinvigoration of the debate over the abolition of capital punishment in Taiwan. However, it is to be noted that this is hardly a real exchange of ideas, even by the standard of the Wild West that is the Internet, but more like a campaign of persecution against social activists who advocate the abolition of death penalty.
Does Taiwan Need a Founding Father?
Concerning debates about whether Sun Yat-Sen is Taiwan’s founding father or not, we might revisit the question of who exactly is Taiwan’s founding father. The notion of a founding father would be to point to a singular, historical figure as the originator of a nation-state. As part of nationalist discourse, a founding father is usually seen as a figure possessed of extraordinary, even superhuman qualities. The qualities of a founding father are to be reflective of the values of the nation-state.
Hung Hsiu-Chu Strikes Back
Hung Hsiu-Chu, former KMT presidential candidate, was elected party chairperson of the KMT this past Saturday. Hung’s victory was expected, seeing she was the frontrunner of the candidates running for party chairperson. But will Hung Hsiu-Chu be able to turn the KMT around? Probably not.
Although His Years Are Now Withered, Continuing to Struggle
Su Beng is to this day one of the few people in Taiwan to have experienced over two centuries of historic changes and multiple colonial regimes as a left-wing revolutionary.
The DPP and ROC Independence
Can we label the DPP’s present actions as hewing closer to the course of ROC independence than Taiwanese independence? Historically, the DPP was the party of Taiwanese independence. But the DPP’s consideration at present under Tsai Ing-Wen would seem to be that pushing for Taiwanese independence is too dangerous and possibly disruptive of cross-strait relations. At present, then, the DPP seems to wish to shrug off the historical baggage of its Taiwanese independence platform, which is written into the party’s constitution, without suggesting to party supporters that it is betraying the history of the party. We might take a look at attempts to deflect this criticism.
Open Letter from Hertencia Petersen Regarding Peter Liang
New Bloom presents an open letter from Hertencia Petersen, the aunt of Akai Gurley, regarding Gurley’s killing by Chinese-American NYPD officer Peter Liang, which has been much discussed in the Asian-American community.
What Do Recent Shifts in Taiwanese Identification Mean?
If recent polling from the United Daily News have indicated a significant increase in Taiwanese identification, probably this should not come as a surprise to anyone who has been keeping track of politics in Taiwan in the last year. What is a surprise, seemingly indicative of the probable accuracy of this polling, is that the results of this poll come from the pro-China and pro-KMT leaning press of the United Daily News. And it is that those who have not been attentive to Taiwanese politics in the last year are still playing catch-up regarding these recent shifts in identification. We might take a closer examination.
Lu Su-ling’s Political and Legal Gaffes
DPP Legislator Lu Su-ling was ridiculed online last week for what was reported by the mainstream media as her confusion between the Ministry of National Defense with the National Security Bureau in the Legislative Yuan. During her questioning session with NSB Director-General Yang Kuo-chiang, her inquiries about the illegal military police search and seizure incident was repeatedly met with denials of jurisdiction, as the military police is under the MND and not the NSB. The media took Yang’s side and due to the way the story was framed, netizens immediately raised their pitchforks against her. Though Lu explained her reasoning on Facebook later—saying she understood the difference between the MND and NSB but believed NSB also has the power over this matter—it was too little too late.
Taiwan and India
On the surface, it would appear that Taiwan and India share very little in common; although their governments both espouse democratic principles and invest heavily in the technology and telecommunications industries, they come from vastly different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and have not had a particularly long or noteworthy period of friendship or exchange. But could the rise of South Asia lead to a new direction in Taiwanese foreign policy?
The Sino-Thai Rail: Conveying of Chinese Hegemony?
Infrastructure development projects in Laos set a precedent for what may happen to Thailand in the future. Namely, China lends a helping hand to Thailand at the cost of Thai sovereignty.
318 Two Years On
Looking back on the Sunflower Movement two years later, what can we say? It is, of course, that in some sense the sea-change in Taiwanese politics we have seen in past 2016 elections and nine-in-one elections began with the Sunflower Movement. But what remains to be done?
Why The Ban on Depictions of Homosexuality in Chinese Media And Silence from Critical Voices?
The latest sign of increasing restrictions on media in Xi Jinping’s China would appear to be the recent ban on depictions of homosexuality on television, along with depictions of underage relationships, one night stands, and extramarital affairs. Why is there such interest in regulating sexuality in contemporary China?
國民黨真倒了嗎？軟禁在China體制裡的Taiwan命運
2016大選的戲劇性結果，或真讓台灣社會誤以為「國民黨倒了」、「台灣已是獨立的民主國家了」，若從國際上對「台灣」是否為獨立國家的態度進行檢視，結果肯定又是冷水一頭。台灣的多數住民都樂於支持「我們」能進一步成為主權獨立的國家───問題是「我們」是誰？Republic of China？Chinese Taipei？「我們」的本名不是Taiwan嗎？
Mass Mining Workers’ Demonstration in Heilongjiang Coal Mine Town
Tens of thousands of mining workers in Shuangyashan city of Heilongjiang province in China have clashed with the police after four days of demonstrations, demanding the state-owned mining company to distribute wages owed to workers.
The Chinese New Left: Anti-Capitalist Within China, Imperialist Outside of China?
If the New Left’s nationalism trumps Leftism, it is because of the New Left’s view that the China model, however flawed, is still superior to the West. It is such that the New Left suggests that the China model can and should be exported outside of China, hence where they become apologists for Chinese imperialism.
What is the Chinese New Left?: Between Leftism and Nationalism?
Perhaps one of the most significant intellectual formations operating in today’s world, China’s New Left arose in the 1990s in opposition to the turn of China away from a centrally planned economy and a return to free market principles after the Deng Xiaoping period. More broadly, the New Left project emphasizes the growing disparities between rural and urban areas in post-Deng China, the sacrifice of principles of equality in order to drive toward development, and calls for a critical revaluation of China’s Maoist legacy in light of China’s present—inclusive of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution.
Who’s Afraid of Taiwanese Independence, Anyway?
The political spectrum is changing in Taiwan again, after the victory of the DPP in 2016 elections. With the split which has emerged between the positions of ROC independence and Taiwanese independence, perhaps we are seeing the early indications of a shift in the central dividing issue of the Taiwanese political spectrum. This would be the shift from the central dividing issue being independence versus unification to ROC independence versus Taiwanese independence. But what do recent attempts to eliminate Taiwanese independence as a political position in favor of ROC independence tell us? We might take a look, ultimately concluding that it may be overly hasty to consign Taiwanese independence to the dustbin of history in the name of political realism, as some have attempted recently.
重申「同性戀國家主義」與「粉紅清洗」：超越冷戰結構的帝國慾望？
「Homonationalism」（同性戀國家主義）應該是近十年內酷兒學術最被快速沿用與再生產的一個概念，描述同志人權如何被收編於「衡量國家主權優良等級」的一種國際機制，在 2007 年 Jasbir Puar 出版《Terrorist Assemblages》一書之後引起廣泛的辯論與修正。由「同性戀國家主義」延伸而出，形容以色列如何藉由「國家同志人權」的友善形象，來掩飾國家對於巴勒斯坦殖民暴力的「粉紅清洗」（pinkwashing）策略，近幾年也激起了一連串的北美酷兒「反粉紅清洗」的 BDS（Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions）運動，抵制以色列藉由文化、經濟、外交等等手段的同志友善形象建立。這次中央性／別研究室所邀請至台灣演講的紐約史坦頓島學院特聘教授莎拉·舒蔓（Sarah Schulman），正是酷兒反粉紅洗清 BDS 運動的主要支持者之一。舒蔓的演說，加上美國同志人權大使蘭迪·貝瑞（Randy Berry）的訪台行程，也引起台灣酷兒學界與運動圈的討論，問題的核心在於，如同以色列，台灣是否也展露了渴望藉由「同性戀國家主義」的同志友善與人權表述來「攀附（美）帝國的慾望」？或者，更直接地說，Is Taiwan already homonational?
The Keelung Massacre: The Day the KMT Occupied Taiwan
Last year, for the first time since 1947, the city government of Keelung planned a memorial with NGO groups to hold a memorial service for the Keelung Massacre which occurred on March 8, 1947, several days after the nation slipped into chaos over the 228 Massacre. The Keelung Massacre is less well-known than the 228 Massacre, but is among the major crimes committed by the KMT, or rather, the Republic of China government which was synonymous with the KMT at the time.
Eagles of Revolution: A Tribute to Women in Marxism
International Women’s Day, now celebrated all over the world and adopted by the United Nations, has a Marxist origin. Originally, the labor movement in the United States and the Socialist Party of America started the holiday. It was first called the International Working Women’s Day, and its inaugural celebration was organized by Clara Zetkin, a prominent German Marxist and later a member of the Communist Party of Germany, on March 19th, 1911. The liberation of women from oppression under capitalist society has always been one of the top priorities of the Marxist revolutionary program, and past revolutionary struggles sent shock waves throughout the world, which substantially contributed to the progression of women’s rights across the globe.
我們該怎樣看待 Peter 梁 的案子？
實務上，我們不應該只停留在每個警察都要負責的口號，我們該更積極的討論警察政策。我們該與 #釋放梁警官的支持者一同質疑巡邏策略。我們應該更懷疑警察工會是否有提供梁足夠的法律資源。我們甚至要問清楚警察學校沒有教好警察怎麼做 CPR。當我們不再忽視，而聆聽 #釋放梁警官的抗議者時，我們可能有機會繼續對話。或許，我們可以與他們一同反省警察該如何執法、保護人民。我們也該說服朋友們「刑事法改革」的重要性。
Perhaps There’s A Third Narrative on the Death of Akai Gurley and Conviction of Peter Liang
Instead of stopping at “Let’s hold police officers accountable,” we should be more vocal about policing. We should try to draw connections with the #freeliang camp on questioning policing techniques. We could be critical about the legal resources Liang has from the police as an Asian-American. We could be angry about why police academy does not train police in CPR very well. Then when we listen to, rather than dismiss, the anger from the #freeliang protesters, perhaps there’s chance to keep the dialogue going.
從葉宜津到余宛如，從人口危機到性別危機──談幼托政策
討論社會政策脈絡時，社會問題的提出是討論社會政策的第一步。解決台灣當前面對嚴重的生育率過低人口問題與性別不平等問題中，托育政策扮演重要的角色。立法院開議不到一個月，葉宜津委員的兒少津貼與余宛如委員的立院友善托育環境主張，讓幼托政策的重要性再次浮上檯面。
中國新左派：中國國內的反資本主義者，出了境外卻是帝國主義者？
要是新左派的民族主義壓倒了左派思想，這同樣是由於新左派認為中國模式再怎麼不足還是比西方優越的心態所致。正是這樣的心態使得新左派認為中國模式能夠、並且應當向中國境外輸出，他們也自此成為中國帝國主義的辯護者。
什麼是中國「新左派」：介於左派思想與民族主義之間？
中國的新左派可說是當代世界中最重要的知識分子群體之一，他們在 1990 年代因為反對中國在鄧小平時代過後放棄計畫經濟，轉向自由市場原理而竄起。更大程度上，新左派的研究課題著重於後鄧小平時期城鄉差距的持續擴大，以及為求發展而犧牲平等原則，並呼籲對毛澤東時代的遺產進行批判性再評價以回應當前局勢，其中包括大躍進和文化大革命。
歲有榮枯，以身證道 ——關於台灣左翼革命家史明（施朝暉，1918- ）
史明（施朝暉，1918-）是台灣至今少數在世且經歷兩個世紀、不同殖民政權的左翼革命家。他出生於台灣士林、就學於日本東京早稻田大學，因為信仰馬克思主義，曾經前往上海擔任中國共產黨的地下情報人員，卻在戰後的華北地區見證土地改革、人民裁判的殘忍，才九死一生的回到台灣。因為見證台灣社會在 228 事件後的慘澹情況，他與同志們計畫刺殺蔣介石，卻從此流亡日本近四十年的歲月。在幾經波折的情況他以一間麵店——新珍味維持生計，並且在 1962 年出版第一本以台灣人立場書寫的台灣通史——《台灣人四百年史》。不管是地下武裝行動或者是著述立書，史明將他生命的大半歲月奉獻給台灣，1993 年返回台灣以後他仍孜孜不倦、各地奔波，宣揚台灣民族主義與獨立建國的思想。他與同志們矗立於宣傳車上敲鑼擊鼓的畫面在今日台北街頭幾是奇景，卻也是台灣獨立運動左翼精神猶存的唯一證明。
Peter Liang in China
Probably one of the stranger afterlives of the Peter Liang case would be the case having taken on a life of its own in China. We might examine responses from Chinese state-run media in relation to the broader political context of China.
What Would Transitional Justice in Taiwan Mean?
Why the need for transitional justice in Taiwan, anyway? Is it not that Taiwan is already “post-authoritarian”? Certainly, that would be what much of western commentary regarding Taiwan assumes, that Taiwan is unequivocally “post-authoritarian”. But the paradoxes of so-called Taiwanese democracy are many and the crimes of the authoritarian period have not been settled.
The 228 Massacre, The New Legislature, and Unresolved Issues of Transitional Justice in Taiwan
Transitional justice is a term increasingly used among Taiwanese since the explosion of civic awareness after the Sunflower movement. In the new political scene after the January 16th elections, calls for transitional justice are ever louder and bolder, as the new legislature is thought to be more capable of exerting political force regarding the issue of transitional justice.
誰出賣了台灣？
值得一提的是，偶爾也有人嘗試著要讓美國人認識二二八事件，就好像它只不過是他們應當知道的另一個國家的歷史創傷，好讓他們對台灣人民無人聞問的苦難更多一些理解。但卻沒有人要求美國人必須知道，更不用說由於美國自己在二二八事件中的罪責，它也該負起一部分責任。美國為了扶植蔣介石對抗中國共產政權，當然極力掩蓋他在戒嚴時期的威權統治與暴力鎮壓。這正是美國無視二二八屠殺的理由。
Accusations of Fascism Against Hong Kong from the Pro-Unification Left?
Recent attempts to claim the Mong Kok riots were fascistic are just the pro-unification Left up to its old tricks. One suspects that they lack any real sense of what fascism is. Instead, as members of the pro-unification Left in Hong Kong or Taiwan do quite frequently, at the core, anything which resists China is deemed to be “fascistic” or “populist” in their eyes.
Lee Teng-Hui, Tsai Ing-Wen, and Questions About the ROC Framework
Lee Teng-Hui recently drew fire for calling for the localization and Taiwanization of the Republic of China, but claiming that there is no explicit need for Taiwanese independence in a recently published book. Do we see shifts in the discourse about independence/unification as reflected in Lee’s statements? And can we relate this to Tsai Ing-Wen’s political position about preserving the ROC framework? Namely, some of Tsai’s current platforms seem reminiscent of Lee’s past policies.
The Peter Liang Trial and Questions of Race and Politics in America
The past week has seen rallies across the country in protest of the arraignment of NYPD officer Peter Liang on charges of manslaughter and official misconduct. Liang, a Chinese-American police officer, shot and killed 28-year-old Akai Gurley in the dark stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project when his drawn gun went off. However, the Liang verdict has been divisive of the Asian-American community, raising broader issues of racial justice in the United States. We might examine and engage with some of the issues at hand.
梁警員與「華裔族群團結」背後的種族爭鬥：少數族群典範與反黑情結
從 2014 年十一月起，紐約華裔警察 Peter Liang （梁彼得）槍殺非裔 Akai Gurley 的事件，與 Ferguson 在美國鬧成的軒然大波，分裂了美國的亞裔社群。在美國主流媒體報導中，Liang-Gurley 的事件被視為整個 Black Lives Matter 運動中的一個小插曲，差別只在於 Peter Liang 成為第一位因射殺未持有槍械且未犯法的非裔人士而被法律懲處的警察，至於其他白人警察，比如發生於 Liang-Gurley 事件之前的兩起：勒斃 Eric Garner 的 Dan Pantaleo 與射殺 Mike Brown 的 Darren Wilson，都未被大陪審團要求起訴。
梁警員的判刑結果引起華裔社群的憤怒和不滿，也在去年與上週末（2/20）相繼舉辦了三次跨州的盛大遊行。各大華語媒體多數讚賞全美四十個城市的集會為「華裔在美國史上最大的示威遊行」，並認為華裔終於可以擺脫「少數族群典範」（Model Minority）的包袱，拒絕成為「啞裔」，為自己的權利發聲。弔詭的是，此次華裔集會運動的訴求：撤銷 Liang 警員刑責，絕非一件依照「種族正義」而生的行為，卻是迎合了白人優越主義下，維護國家警察執法正當性，與少數族群典範「反黑情結」（Anti-Blackness）的族群分裂思維。撤銷梁刑責背後的邏輯，即是：若是那些白人警察可以免於他們殺害非裔的罪行，為何身為亞裔不行？
Will China’s Upcoming Ban on Foreign Press Backfire?
In a year which has already seen unprecedented crackdowns on the press, China recently announced a ban on foreign media publishing online in China. The ban was announced on February 14th and is set to take effect starting from next month.
A Game of Thrones?
Factional conflict continues within the KMT, with the struggle for party chairmanship. In a surprise turn, we now see two women struggling for chairmanship, namely Huang Min-Hui and Hung Hsiu-Chu. What does this tell us about factional conflict within the KMT?
專訪：Tuhi Martukaw（洪簡廷卉）
Tuhi Martukaw（洪簡廷卉）是一位就職於原住民族電視台的主播和國際編譯，以及LIMA台灣原住民青年團的創辦人和召集人。破土的中文編輯丘琦欣和楊進於2015年12月在紐約與她見面，談到了她的眾多工作以及帶領台灣原住民代表團參與聯合國原住民議題常設論壇的經驗。
Interview: Tuhi Martukaw (洪簡廷卉)
Tuhi Martukaw (Jocelyn Ting-Hui Hung Chien) is an anchor and translator on Taiwan Indigenous Television Network (TITV) as well as coordinator and founder of the LIMA Taiwan Indigenous Youth Working Group. Parson Young and Brian Hioe of New Bloom interviewed her in December 2015 in New York City about her experiences with UN delegations of Taiwanese indigenous peoples and at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
蔡英文與台灣年度女性政治人物
眾所皆知台灣下一任總統會是女性，而這點也引起了國際媒體關注。雖然蔡英文並非東亞的第一位女性總統，南韓的朴槿惠才是，但國際媒體讚譽蔡英文是東亞第一個非政治世家出身的女性總統，且是華語世界中最有權勢的女性。
Tsai Ing-Wen and Taiwan’s Year of the Female Politician?
As we all know by now, Taiwan’s next president will be a woman. But what does this mean politically? For one, Tsai Ing-Wen being elected as a female president of Taiwan hardly means that all problems of sexual or gender discrimination have been solved in Taiwan. And Tsai being a female politician does not mean she will be inherently more progressive as president of Taiwan.
What Was The Fishball Revolution About?
Over 60 were arrested and over 120 were injured during the riot which broke out Monday in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. But the so-called “Fishball Revolution” was hardly about just fishballs, or even food hawkers. What was it that led up to Monday’s events? And what does this mean for Hong Kong going forward? Will this be, as some have claimed, the beginning of a year of resistance?
China’s Recent Attempts to Crack Down on Press Freedoms
With critics of wrongdoing in China increasingly disappearing, who is it that will dare speak out against China in the future? No one, nowhere seems off limits anymore. Present events trace back to the disappearance of five booksellers from Hong Kong, who worked in a bookstore that sold books banned in China. But we can point to a renewed offensive on press freedom in China, including renewed attempts at “Media Monopoly” and crackdowns on foreign journalists.
‘Open Data = Transparency?’: Ma’s Ludicrous Statement on Open Data
Recently, President Ma Ying-jeou has made a number of erroneous statements about open data, claiming that Taiwan’s number-one ranking on the Open Knowledge Foundation’s open data index is proof of his administration’s overall transparency. In response, Billy Lin, a prominent member of the civic-tech community “g0v” wrote an editorial response to Taiwan’s Apple Daily editorial board. We have translated the original editorial with the author’s permission.
What is ROC Independence versus Taiwanese Independence?
With reports of the victory of the “independence-leaning” or even “pro-independence” Democratic Progressive Party in international media reports on 2016 presidential elections, it may be worth revisiting what is discussed as “independence”. Namely, international media has a tendency of failing to make sufficient distinctions in regards to what is referred to as “Taiwanese independence.” Sometimes what is referred to as being “Taiwanese independence” in English language discourse is not actually Taiwanese independence at all.
Calls for Reform by Young People Within the KMT?
As the quip often goes, the KMT no longer has young people within the party. This would be another factor behind the crisis of the KMT, with the party’s actions in recent years having alienated much of Taiwan’s young. This has been a product of the KMT’s attempts to draw Taiwan too close to China than many find comfortable or on the basis of perceived corruption through the KMT’s sizable party assets or KMT politicians who have made themselves wealthy through using their political connections. But, surprisingly, there are some young people within the KMT calling for internal reform.
阿進教你馬克思：「無產階級專政」真正的意義是甚麼？
針對馬克思主義最常見的一種指控，是實行馬克思主義必將產生史達林或毛澤東那樣的專制政體。大多數人都指向馬克思自己也使用過的「無產階級專政」一詞，認為這就是馬克思主義本身發展成專制極權的理論基礎。事實上，這個概念卻被刻意扭曲、錯解和割裂脈絡，並運用資產階級對人類社會的理解予以分析。這些對詞意、乃至整個馬克思主義的誇張扭曲，在今日的資本主義社會中成了一套強大的意識型態崇拜。因此最好還是小心撥開包裹著這個詞的一層層謊言，重新探究馬克思主義者對於工人國家的建立究竟是怎麼說的。
Why Would Ma Ying-Jeou Visit Taiping Island?
A recent visit by Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou to disputed island of Itu Aba, also known as Taiping Island, has made waves because of the potential to incite territorial disputes over islands in the South China Seas. Itu Aba is the largest of the Spratly Islands chain. Is it that Ma’s actions here, seemingly illogical in nature, are wholly motivated by KMT ideology?
Marxist Basics with Parson: What Does the “Dictatorship of the Proletariat” Actually Mean?
One of the most common accusations against Marxism has been that its implementation inevitably leads to an authoritarian government like that of Stalinism or Maoism. Most point to the term “dictatorship of the proletariat,” a term used by Marx himself, as evidence that Marxism itself has theoretical basis in authoritarianism. In reality, this concept has been purposely distorted, misrepresented and taken out of context and analyzed through a bourgeois understanding of human society. These caricatures of the term, and Marxism in general, formed a strong ideological cult in capitalist society today. It is therefore prudent to peel away the layers of lies surrounding the term, and to examine what Marxists actually have to say about establishment of a worker’s state.
Why are Students at Hong Kong University On Strike?
Students at the University of Hong Kong are on strike, with demonstration against the appointment of Arthur Li as head of HKU’s governing Council. Demonstrations have included struggles with the police during an incident last night in which students surrounded a meeting of the Council chaired by Li. There are unconfirmed reports that pepper spray was used during these demonstrations. The student strike is scheduled to last the week.
The Issue of Comfort Women and the Formation of an East Asian Bloc
The December 28 agreement reached between the governments of Japan and South Korea on the issue of comfort women, sees the Japanese government willing to offer the victims a compensation of 1 billion yen in a fund stated to be set up to help restore their dignity and repair their psychological wounds. The intentions behind the sudden close of this historically contentious issue, as well as the implications such a deal has for the international politics of the Asia-Pacific region, however, have fallen under criticism by several parties, among them Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China.
2016 Taiwan Elections in Public Dialogue on BBC Thai
2016 elections in Taiwan drew attention in Thailand even from the first announcement. Interestingly, in Thai cyberspace, netizens converse about Taiwan politics in relation to the current Thai politics. The Facebook fanpage of BBC Thai, resuming service since the military coup in 2014, often serves a productive space for discussion. The page posted a number of threads following the unofficial Taiwanese presidential result which indicated that Tsai would be going to win. As expected, netizens posted comments which reflected not simply their attitude towards Taiwan, but towards Thailand as well.
From the KMT’s ’1992 Consensus’ to the DPP’s ’Spirit of the 1992 Consensus’?
Recent comments by current DPP general-secretary Joseph Wu recently stirred waves. Wu stated the incoming DPP government under Tsai Ing-Wen will preserve the spirit of cooperation of the 1992 Consensus. What is surprising about Wu’s comments is that the DPP has in the past never acknowledged the existence of the 1992 Consensus.
In Taiwan, Dreams Change
Last week’s monumental elections represent a major historical moment for Taiwan: the nation’s first female president, the first majority in parliament for the democratic opposition, and a broad outpouring of civic engagement that shows democracy is alive and well. The striking results have come about not only because of “regular” rumblings of economic discontent or the “traditional cleavages” of identity politics. More importantly, the narrative of Taiwanese society has changed, redrawing the bounds for what is possible, and revealing novel sources of inspiration.
Mass Cyber-Trolling and Cross-Strait Relations
On January 20th, 7 PM, Taipei time, a massive wave of Facebook traffic sourced to China began to systematically “attack” any and all politicians, public figures, and media outlets that were identified as pro-Taiwanese independence. Instantly filling the comment section of these Facebook pages with pro-China patriotic sentiments, images, and arguments against all pro-independence comments, all of which procured “likes” in the thousands to allow them to be the “top” comments of the posts they attacked.
What To Do With The KMT’s Party Assets?
What to do with the KMT’s party assets? This has been a question which has persisted from the first DPP administration under Chen Shui-Bian up until the present. And that no satisfactory method of resolving the question of what do about KMT party assets reflects that there is still no satisfactory answer of how to resolve questions of lingering authoritarianism by the KMT.
Implementing a Criminal Jury Trial System in Taiwan
Tsai Ing-wen’s judicial reform platform stresses citizen participation in the judiciary through jury trials. What does this mean for judicial reform in Taiwan?
The Chou Tzuyu Incident and Entertainment as a Site of Conflict About National Identity
A video of 16-year-old Taiwanese K-pop performer Chou Tzuyu unexpectedly went viral in Taiwan the day before 2016 presidential elections. In the video, Chou apologized for a previous online video in which Chou held the flag of the Republic of China—the name by which Taiwan is internationally known. In the video, Chou apologized for her transgressions, stressed that she was Chinese as well as the unity of a singular China. The video was released on January 15th, the day before 2016 presidential elections in Taiwan on January 16th.
How Will the US and China React to a Tsai Presidency?
How are we to understand Chinese and American reactions to Tsai Ing-Wen’s election as president of Taiwan? Is it that America will perceive Tsai as a dangerous pro-independence ideologue? And despite its invectives against Tsai, does China really perceive Tsai as bent on Taiwanese independence?
Tsai and the Sunflower Generation
Can we trace the victory of Tsai Ing-Wen for president and the overwhelming victory of the DPP in legislature back to the Sunflower Movement? Both yes and no. Tsai invoked the abstract idealism of the Sunflower generation in her campaign quite often, but where the views of civil society can sometimes be inchoate or not totally thought out, this offered a convenient way of masking Tsai’s own lack of concrete policy. Yet if Tsai then turns her back on what youth activists of the Sunflower generation stand for, they would understandably feel betrayed.
The Fall of the KMT?
The recent defeat of the KMT was unprecedented, seeing as the KMT has never lost control of the legislature, if the KMT lost control of the presidency during the eight years of Chen Shui-Bian’s presidency. Now it has lost both the presidency and legislature. And the KMT remains only in control of 35 out 113 legislative seats and six out of twenty-two of Taiwan’s counties and cities. What will happen now with the KMT? Maybe, as Nietzsche said, when you see something about to fall, you should give it a push.
Is the Narrative About Taiwan Changing After Tsai Ing-Wen’s Presidential Victory?
Is the narrative about Taiwan changing after Tsai Ing-Wen’s presidential victory? We might note that, to date, there have at least not been very many foreboding warnings about Tsai guiding Taiwan in the direction of Taiwanese-independence and possibly provoking cross-strait conflict. Rather, news coverage to date has focused largely on Tsai as the first female president of Taiwan, that Tsai pledges to maintain cross-straits stability and is an unorthodox politician, a “female academic who loves cats and supports gay rights” as the title of a recent article stated.
Who are the Winners and Losers of 2016 Elections in Legislature?
If most international attention has focused on Tsai Ing-Wen’s victory over Eric Chu in presidential elections, who were the winners and losers of legislative elections? Does the overwhelming victory of the DPP over the KMT and the unexpected successes of the New Power Party foretell future trends in Taiwanese electoral politics?
Hard Choices for Tsai on Foreign Affairs
It is time to start looking ahead to the impact that the Tsai presidency will have upon Taiwan’s international relationships with nations in the Asia Pacific, as well as how her administration will figure into larger geopolitical trends.
What Happens Now That Tsai Ing-Wen Is President?
What should we we expect from a Tsai presidency, now that Tsai Ing-Wen is president of Taiwan? Now may be a time of celebration and rightly so, but perhaps we should not hope for too much?
Last Words on 2016 Elections
When we look back on 2016 elections, will we find that it in the end it was just a choice between Pepsi and Coca-Cola, between two brands, in choosing between the KMT and DPP? Today, on the day of elections, we might think deeply on this fact.
國族霸凌與國旗謊言：周子瑜的蒼白與憔悴
高潞。以用 Kawlo Iyun：為原住民及花東議題發聲的立委候選人
高潞・以用是個以土地權及原住民權益為出發點，進行思考並擬訂對策的候選人。她參政最重要的一個轉捩點，便是2011年，民國100年，她協助成立了Pangcah阿美族守護聯盟，並在土地議題上，做「土地百年戰役」及「愛狗樂園」這兩個事件的抗爭。
蔡與朱政策對比
大選前夕，破土特別為大家整理了蔡英文跟朱立倫的政見，供各位參考。
Policy Comparison Between Tsai Ing-Wen and Eric Chu
The day before elections, New Bloom presents a policy comparison of the policies between Tsai Ing-Wen and Eric Chu. Check it out!
時候到了：台灣總統大選的最後階段以及大型勞動政黨的迫切需要
這個週末，台灣的勞動階級將再次的身處於他們無法控制的劇變之中。2016 年的台灣總統大選將標誌著台灣歷史的一個新的樞紐，是我國資產階級政治的轉折點，而非勞動大眾的勝利。
SDP’s Chen Shang-chih Election Ads Go Viral
By all appearances, Taipei Legislative candidate Chen Shang-chih is a mild-mannered, bookish professor. He has a deliberative speaking style that seems more suited to a life of academia, than for a candidate running for a seat in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan formerly owned by notorious rumour-mongering KMT legislator Alex Tsai. But a series of new Facebook campaign videos has put Chen in the media spotlight by cutting through his seemingly shy demeanour to reveal a gift for deadpan comic delivery that is unique for a legislative candidate.
The Time is Now
This weekend, the Taiwanese working class will once again find itself in the midst of a tremendous change without playing any role in it. The presidential election of 2016 will mark another pivotal point in Taiwanese history, not as a victory of the working class, but as a turn in the bourgeois politics of Taiwan. While the defeat of the KMT in both the presidential in the parliamentary election is exciting to imagine, a DPP victory would make very little difference to the working people of Taiwan.
Leftism First or Independence First in 2016 Elections?
As we approach elections, currently a debate is raging among Taiwanese activists. What is at stake is the question of whether Taiwan should first aim at “Independence” then leftist aspirations or first aim to be “Left” before aspiring towards independence. In part, this debate reflects that present elections are different from past elections, with the rise of numerous “Third Force” parties that originate in civil society and provide a variety of political choices for activists. This would certainly differ from past elections in which there would seem to be few choices besides KMT and DPP and smaller parties offering different shades of pan-Green and pan-Blue.
Where Did Identity Politics Go in the 2016 Presidential Elections?
Did identity politics simply disappear in 2016 elections? Not so. But we do see a change in Taiwan’s political landscape as reflected in the lack of overt forms of identity politics in elections. But, interestingly, it is the KMT now which attempts to raise older identity politics in order to disguise its class interest.
The TPP, RCEP, and the Question of Free Trade Agreements for Taiwan Under a Tsai Presidency
Why is it that Tsai Ing-Wen supports not only joining the American-led TPP but also the China-led RCEP? What would the implications of signing free trade agreements in general be for Taiwan? Seeing as Tsai Ing-Wen will likely be next president of Taiwan, likely it is due time to start discussing Tsai Ing-Wen’s policies on free trade.
Aesthetic and Political Experimentalism in 2016 Election Campaigning by the DPP and Third Force Parties
It may be interesting to note the biggest winners of 2016 elections will probably be those political parties who were most aesthetically effective, as well as inventive, in their approaches to political campaigning. As should obvious at this point, it will be the DPP that takes the presidency under Tsai Ing-Wen. Moreover, of the Third Force parties, it will likely be the New Power Party which wins the most.
勇武E台灣郎，再加點油
極右派來了。更精確的說，是極右派又來了。極右派在台灣的選舉並非第一次出現，90 年代起存活至今的新黨即為適例。如今，另一股極右派勢力亦組黨正躍躍欲試想進入國會。只是這次的極右派不若新黨以中華民族主義為號召，而是以台灣民族主義為號召。
The Third Force and the Question of Taipei-Centric Politics in 2016 Elections
In particular, the rise of new parties originating in youth activism—the so-called Third Force—has been a Taipei centered phenomenon. Though there are non-Taipei based candidates, Third Force political candidates are quite often running in Taipei, despite the fact that Taipei is historically pan-Blue. Taipei has been for the most a pan-Blue stronghold, although this depends on district. Why run in Taipei? What are the stakes of doing so?
Which Way Forward for the Third Force?
The Third Force adopted an electoral strategy which did not seek to directly challenge the DPP. But despite some parties vowing to avoid cooperation with the DPP, in the end this happened. What does this mean for the Third Force? Is there the possibility that the Third Force might turn on the DPP in the future?
Why Is the Voting Age in Taiwan So High?
After reform measures passed in Japan this summer to lower the voting age to eighteen, among Asia-Pacific countries, Taiwan will remain as having a relatively high voting age. Like Japan’s voting age before recent reform measures, Taiwan’s voting age is twenty. Taiwan’s voting age of twenty compares to a voting age of eighteen in 90% of 190 countries. Why is voting age so high in Taiwan and why have efforts at reform been stymied?
那些背對我們的男人：五年級與七年級的「世代對立」
總統大選在即，中國國民黨《五年級生》的競選影片，以悲情沈默的中年男人背影道盡五年級生對於青年世代的不滿，以及面臨各方面批判的委屈，似乎刻意勾起台灣經濟成長時的豐功偉業，藉此塑造與年輕族群的世代對立。身為解嚴後的七年級生，雖可體恤當年受兩蔣專政風氣下壓抑成長的上一代，是如何為求生存而保持沈默並服從，但這類炒作出的世代對立論述，說穿了不過是掌權者操作特定年齡層的刻板印象，進而忽略反抗的聲音，與跟著時代不斷改變、接納新文化的人們。競選影片中的中年男人背影，其實並不代表整體五年級的生命經驗，而是深化國民黨那不顧現實推進、深陷於歷史自我感覺良好幽魂的自身縮影，更加凸顯權力階級與普羅大眾的價值落差。
The Last Presidential Debate
The third and final presidential debate, like the first two, was largely a non-event. The debate serves as the last parting shot between the three presidential candidates before election day itself, but the race is not a close enough one that the debate has any way of changing the outcome of the election. Although a Tsai presidency seems all but certain, what Chu and Soong are capable of doing at this point is eroding away Tsai Ing-Wen’s support base. Thus, it may be logical to focus primarily on Tsai’s comments during the debate.
Ma Ying-jeou Stickers are Ruining the KMT’s 2016 Election Campaign
A sticker campaign has become the scourge of the KMT, with KMT legislative candidates having already reported dozens of citizens to the police for “defacing” their campaign material with the new stickers. The sticker consists merely of an endorsement from current President Ma Ying-jeou, and from Jennifer Wang, the KMT Vice-presidential candidate. As KMT legislators are facing their toughest re-election battles in Taiwan’s democratic history, KMT legislative candidates are doing everything they can to ensure their victory, including disassociating themselves from Taiwan’s lame-duck president, Ma Ying-jeou, and Eric Chu’s VP choice, Jennifer Wang, who has been embroiled in a housing speculation scandal for over a month.
Lessons for Taiwan 2016 from Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Soldiers”?
Many parallels have been drawn between Taiwan and Hong Kong by individuals have since the 2014 Sunflower and Umbrella Movements. But as we enter 2016 elections in Taiwan, we might draw further parallels between past November local elections in Hong Kong and Taiwan 2016 elections in regard to Taiwan’s “Third Force” and Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Soldiers.” Namely, both phenomena are elements of post-Sunflower movement civil society in Taiwan and post-Umbrella movement civil society in Hong Kong entering electoral politics. Do the “Umbrella Soldiers” offer any lessons for Taiwan’s “Third Force”?
The KMT Attempting to Stir Up Intergenerational Conflict?
A recent video uploaded by the KMT on Facebook focuses on the idea of intergenerational conflict. Recent events that have occurred in Taiwan, mostly issues that rose out of the Sunflower Movement led by students, are framed in the ad as an attack against those of the older generation. Why would the KMT attempt to provoke intergenerational conflict?
Aesthetics and Politics in 2016 Presidential Campaign Ads
Recent campaign ads by Chu and Tsai are revealing of the priorities of the KMT and DPP in the current presidential election. In examining these ads, we can point to how both parties are aiming at appealing to certain target demographics, particularly young voters. The DPP has largely been more successful the KMT in this regard.
More Empty Rhetoric at the Second Presidential Debate
The second Taiwanese presidential debate took place on Saturday, January 2nd 2016, with Eric Chu, Tsai Ing-Wen, and James Soong once again squaring off, less than two weeks before elections. But, as with the first presidential debate, the occasion was largely an occasion for grandstanding and attacks. Given that a Tsai presidential victory seems all but certain, perhaps it is such that we can understand Chu and Soong’s behavior in the debate.
Three Things Western Commentators Have Missed About the KMT in 2016 Elections
Is Taiwan a “democracy”? Certainly, few would deny that Taiwan is more democratic than it was in the past, as compared to the era of authoritarian rule by the KMT. Nevertheless, much has passed by western commentators in regards to the democratization of Taiwan. It is quite often assumed that post-democratization, the KMT has become a “normal” political party, analogous to any other party functioning in a two-party political system.
Why Has There Been an Upsurge of Labor Demonstrations Before 2016 Elections?
A recent wave of labor protests in Taipei seems to be timed to coincide with 2016 elections. Workers are quite deliberately demonstrating in Taipei before elections, in order to make the public pay attention. Workers’ voices are largely marginalized from mainstream politics—by KMT and DPP alike.
Tsai Ing-Wen and the Long Shadow of Chen Shui-Bian
Even if it may be that Tsai’s victory in the present seems all but inevitable, Tsai faces certain uphill challenges once president. Such challenges ultimately stem from international perceptions of the first DPP presidency under Chen Shui-Bian. The DPP is still seen as a dangerous troublemaker that threatens to disrupt cross-strait relations on the basis of its ideological pro-independence fanaticism on the basis of Chen Shui-Bian’s presidency.
Eric Chu and the Ghost of Ma Ying-Jeou
It is probably already clear that Eric Chu will not be the next president of Taiwan. Thus, rather than fret about the possibility of a Chu presidency which will not come to be, we might concern ourselves with why exactly Eric Chu is running in the present. Because it appears as though Eric Chu does not offer anything substantially different than Ma Ying-Jeou, in spite of the past year’s backlash against Ma’s policies. And there may be a reason for that.
Empty Talk, Bad Rhetoric, Followed By a Social Media War
The two and a half hours of the first presidential candidate debate took place on December 27th. Given that polling shows Eric Chu and James Soong lag far behind Tsai Ing-wen, good faith and a miracle would be needed to assume the debate would turn the tables at all. So, unsurprisingly, this debate was largely empty talk.
Hong Kong’s Sporting Rivalry Turned Political?
Although the display of nationalistic sentiments is not a new concept to the sporting world, recent sports matches in Hong Kong highlight the tense relationship between Hong Kong and China in light of changing political realities. But does this mean that Hong Kong people reject the notion of “Chineseness” in their own identity? We might take a look.
When Heavy Metal Meets Activist Politics
Freddy Lim’s concert held at Freedom Plaza in Taipei on December 26th has drawn international attention on the basis of the unusual nature of a political rally which was, in part, a concert by a heavy metal band. The concert was also to mark the twentieth anniversary of Chthonic. Though Freddy Lim is currently an electoral candidate of the New Power Party, Lim originally rose to fame as frontman of symphonic black metal band Chthonic. We may more broadly view this concert as expressive of the past two year’s development of youth culture, aesthetics, and politics.
統獨左右之外的社會想像——社群主義是否可能？（四）第三種社會想像
台灣社會目前並沒有認真討論過台灣民族主義的內涵，於是產生了與階級路線矛盾的現象。事實上台灣在很多歷史的轉折上，都遇到了類似的岔路選擇題。
統獨左右之外的社會想像——社群主義是否可能？（三）新的社群想像
民族主義雖然帶來很多矛盾，但是階級想像同樣也無法解決目前新自由主義下的困境。特別是左翼論者對於「國家」的想像，在無法立刻取消國境線的情況下，其實也面臨了必須處理主權與認同，以對抗跨國資本威脅的難題，特別是面對中國的挑戰之下。
統獨左右之外的社會想像——社群主義是否可能？（二）獨派與台灣民族主義想像
以現況而言，台灣的國族認同反過來構成了一個框架，讓核心之外的弱勢被排除在公民系統之外。而台灣公民所具有的認識背景（民主素養）並不均等，保守的主流會不會透過民族主義反過來壓迫弱勢，或者與有權者合流，這是民族主義最迫切必須回應的難題。
統獨左右之外的社會想像——社群主義是否可能？（一）從兩名抗爭者之死談起
時代逐漸前進，今日我們可以用比較安全的位置來思考生存、來思考平等，探討何謂民主自由，並決起行動。但前進之路仍然受阻，在民族、性別、階級等意識型態劃分的十字路口，遲滯不前甚或退後。選擇一種概念，彷彿就會跟另外一種概念矛盾衝突，因此鬥爭無止無休，理想主義的選擇好像也成了虛無的宣言，成了犬儒所嘲諷的寂寞無聊。有沒有新的可能，是透過文化、社群去重新理解主體與主體之間的關係，重新找回弱勢的力量並奪回資源公平分配的權力？真正回到「人」自身的主題而不再以手段為目的？或許，我們可以檢視當代意識型態構成方式，回過頭來發問，是什麼因素創造了「我們」？而為了創造「我們」又排除了多少「他者」？在那不斷單一、集中化的龐大主體中，「我們」是否又在重蹈歷史悲慘的覆轍？
The Taiwanese Television Series Bao Qingtian in Context of Thailand’s (Un)Democracy
That the Thai government manages to bring Taiwanese television series Justice Bao to Thai screens again and again is revealing. The central ideals of Justice Bao are what the present military regime would like to instill within Thai citizens. The screening of the series Justice Bao is ideologically sound, since not only does the character Bao help the government in a favorable light, as upholding justice and rooting out corruption, but the series propagates the continuation of the class system nonetheless.
2016年總統大選會是台灣抗爭年的盡頭嗎？
倘若過去這一年是一整個世代曾被看作政治冷感的年輕人踏入政治的開端，蔡英文總統任內的台灣青年將在政治上扮演怎樣的角色，則仍是未定之數。我們看到的會是社運青年延續這一年來堅韌的力道？還是社會運動在與蔡英文的蜜月期過後急速消沉？
Will 2016 Elections Be The End of Taiwan’s Year of Protest?
If the past year was the entrance of a generation of young people who had been previously thought to be politically indifferent into politics, it remains to be seen what the political role of Taiwan’s young will be going forward under Tsai’s presidency. Will we see continued resiliency of youth activism as we saw in the past year? Or is it that we will see a precipitous decline in activism once the Tsai honeymoon is over?
The Past Weekend’s Migrant Workers’ Demonstration and Broader Issues of Migrant Workers in Taiwan
The rally for migrant workers’ rights which took place in Taipei this past Sunday points to how the role of migrant workers in Taiwan remains precarious. Yet it is that migrant workers have come to occupy an integral place in Taiwanese society. We might venture an examination.
Is a General Strike in South Korea on the Horizon?
South Korea may be poised on the brink of a general strike, with a general strike called for December 16th. The weekend before last saw demonstrations of tens of thousands, after demonstrations in mid-November which brought over 60,000 onto the streets of Seoul. We can situate current events in South Korea within broader regional trends of labor activism and the actions of resurgent authoritarian governments in East Asia, as we can see with Asia’s past year of protest.
The Past Week of Smog in Beijing and Smog Conditions as an International Problem
Persistent smog in Beijing for the past week has made international news, on account of the Chinese government declaring an “orange” alert for hazardous air pollution. Recently, we also see smog conditions in other parts of Asia, including Taiwan. As a product of polluting factories, perhaps we can more generally point to smog conditions as a problem which stems from unfettered capitalist growth, as a case in which people’s health and livelihood are sacrificed in favor of economic development.
中國進入非洲：具有中國特色的帝國主義？
我們可以留意到，中國的一切論述全都關乎它要和世界其他國家平起平坐的渴望。儘管中國確實應該被肯定為世界強國，可是說穿了，它的目標始終是為了得到和今天的美國同等的世界霸權地位。我們最近從中國在非洲小國吉布地建立軍事基地的行動看到的正是如此。雖然美國目前在全世界 80 個國家中建立了大約 800 個軍事基地，吉布地則是中國第一個海外軍事基地。
Imperialism with Chinese Characteristics?
China’s establishment of its first overseas military base in Djibouti has provoked some anxiety. Is this beginnings of a world-spanning imperialist base-building project by China in the future? Although it is that at present the US has over 800 bases in 80 countries across the world, this will be China’s first overseas military base. Namely, it should not be a surprise if China wishes to become a global superpower, it is compelled in some sense to imitate America.
The Unexpected Recognition of Taiwan
In an ironic twist, the inclusion of the ROC flag amongst the states ISIS considers its enemies constitutes, in the estimation of Beijing, a recognition of Taiwan as a separate state. For its part, the United States’ recognition of Taiwan as an element of the coalition to oppose ISIS in the Asia-Pacific region perhaps serves the goal of moving it farther away from the PRC and into a closer, though unofficial, partnership with the US and its allies in the region. Taiwan finds itself in the precarious situation of having been singled out by both the Islamic State and the United States as an ally in the Western-led coalition, worsening relations with the PRC while at the same time igniting considerable fear concerning the safety of the nation.
Recent Food Scandals and Taiwan’s Crony Capitalism Problem
It is the collusion of the primarily KMT politicians with large, powerful corporations that allows for the repeated scandals such as the food scandals we have see in recent years. Namely, it would seem that Taiwan has a crony capitalism problem. Crony capitalism is defined as a form of capitalism in which close relations between businessmen and government officials is what allows for economic success.
The Knight, the Fairy, and the Cult Leader
For those used to election cycles elsewhere, it may be surprising for Taiwan’s political parties to announce their respective vice presidential candidate so late into the 2016 election cycle. Yet, in consideration of that one would have thought the KMT would be more prudent with its choice given that Eric Chu is running at about 19% at the polls compared to Tsai at 45%, we might cross-examine the vice presidential candidates of the DPP, KMT, and PFP—who have been labelled by netizens as the “Knight”, the “Fairy”, and the “Cult Leader” respectively.
韓國最近的示威與這一年來亞洲的抗爭
韓國最近爆發的社會抗爭在台灣社運人士看來不免似曾相識。令人感到似曾相識的，則是促使抗爭者上街示威的議題內容：也就是一個具有威權獨裁經驗的右翼政權，企圖透過新編高中歷史教科書淡化及粉飾罪行。不論在台灣還是在韓國，這些現象都顯示出威權遺緒陰魂不散，即使國際社會今天多半已經認定台韓兩國屬於民主國家。
The Power of Anti-Ma Ying-jeou and KMT Facebook Fan Pages
KMT Legislator Lu Shiow-yen’s remarks comparing violence in France and Syria to cross-strait relations has incurred the wrath of Taiwan’s powerful Anti-President Ma and Anti-KMT Facebook fan pages.
Current Demonstrations in South Korea and Asia’s Past Year of Protests
Current protests in South Korea cannot help but appear familiar for Taiwanese activists, with between 60,000 to 130,000 South Koreans taking to the streets to demonstrate the Park Geun-hye government on Saturday. What strikes as reminiscent are the set of issues motivating protestors to demonstrate; namely, a right-wing government with an authoritarian past seeking to whitewash its crimes through new high school textbooks. But Asia’s past year seems to have been a year of protest. And we see this now in South Korea. Are there deeper causes?
After the Ma-Xi Meeting, Do You Still Think Taiwan Is Under the ROC Framework?
Many Taiwanese finally realize that they have been tricked into the frame of ROC. Let’s put the “1992 Consensus” or the upcoming “2015 Consensus” aside. Despite that Taiwanese has been fighting against KMT since 1945, when they shifted the ROC to Taiwan, Taiwanese ultimately accepted this regime till now.
From Regional to National Movement: The Thailand Democracy Movement in Isan
Though less discussed as other student movements of the past year in Asia as the Sunflower Movement and Umbrella Movement, we might look at the student activists of Thailand’s democracy movement. Dao Din is a circle of law students whose initial mission was to help locals protect the environment. Since then, Dao Din has expanded into demonstrating the military junta which seized power in the 2014 coup.
Is No News Good News?
To what extent does the international media have a responsibility to report beyond the official line of the “progress” and “stability” and fairly represent the polarized and confrontational opinions finding expression within the debate amongst the political active elements of Taiwanese civil society?
Facebook Suddenly Unblocked in China, Tsai Ing-Wen’s Facebook Page Flooded by ‘Fifty Cent Army’
After sudden unblocking of Facebook in China for a day, DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-Wen’s Facebook page was flooded by posts attacking Tsai or claiming that Taiwan is part of China. In response, Tsai Ing-Wen released an image on her Facebook pointing to where such users were coming from and “welcoming” Chinese users to democracy. What does this reveal about politics and the Internet in the present?
其實非關台灣，只和習近平有關
我們花了太多心思從台灣大選觀點探討馬習會了。倘若馬習會真是為了搶救國民黨選情，那麼兩人對談時至少應該提及朱立倫或是有所暗示，但根本沒人提到他。倘若這次會面是為了把蔡英文固定在專指一個中國的「現狀」之中，台灣人民卻也沒有要求她做出甚麼有力回應。因此，這場馬習會恐怕不是為了幫助馬英九和台灣的國民黨，它大概是為了幫助習近平確立他目前對中國和全世界的影響力，並且在國際社會進一步孤立台灣而舉行的。
馬習會後，你還在以為台灣就等於中華民國嗎？
馬英九的作為不但不是「賣國」，甚至可以說是中華民國憲法最佳的捍衛者。畢竟，這部憲法所預設的，就是所謂「大陸地區」與「自由地區」的台灣兩者終極統一，馬英九只是照著憲法所寫的去做罷了。所以，無論馬英九對中華民國憲法的表態是不允許「一中一台」，或是「九二共識」的「一中各表」只剩下「一中」（One China Principle）而獨漏「各表」的實際內涵；就算有「各表」，也只敢在台灣對內說。不過這些都不再是重點了，因為「各表」的中華民國也不過是一個舊中國政權。然而，這個舊中國政權現在卻是實際上統治著台灣，而在國際上仍欲代表著「中國」，隨時可以跟「大陸地區」接軌的 ROC，Republic of China。
破除馬習會的「一中各表」：原住民族獨立
基於歷史事實，台灣原住民族本身就是台灣主權的主體。只要用「台灣原住民族獨立」（原獨）的視角檢視中華民國主權，就可理解馬英九高喊「九二共識，一中各表」的時候，就是在喧賓奪主。馬的舉動在「台灣原住民族」看來完全是「越權」行為，原住民族祖先們守護千年以上的土地，其固有主權不容中華民國政權攘竊。面對馬習會，主張「原住民族獨立」才是有效捍衛台灣主權的方式。
It’s Not About Taiwan, It’s All About Xi
We analyze too much from the point of view of the elections. If this meeting meant to salvage the election, then Eric Chu at the very least should have been brought into the conversation or hinted at, but he was nowhere to be seen. If this meeting meant to lock Tsai Ing-wen into committing to a status quo referring to One China, Taiwanese did not demand much answers from her. Therefore, it might be that this meeting was not meant to help Ma and the KMT in Taiwan. Maybe it is meant to help Xi secure his present influence in both China and the world, and to further isolate Taiwan from the international community.
馬習會之後，「維持現狀」何去何從─2016 大選是解藥嗎？
馬習會後，蔡英文公開呼籲選民用選票來表達對馬習會的意見，她認為馬英九是不民主的，唯一能制裁馬英九的方式就是透過民主程序，她說：「馬總統的說法，已經逐漸悖離了台灣的現狀，無法代表台灣的主流民意。能夠決定台灣未來、決定兩岸關係發展的，只有明年 1 月 16 日的新民意……..我們有很多表達不滿的方式，但最有力量的方式，就是在明年 1 月 16 日，用選票換掉這個政權。」然而，2016 大選真的能夠表達台灣人民對馬習會的憤怒嗎？真的能夠維護台灣在兩岸關係中的尊嚴嗎？恐怕未必。如果我們沒有積極面對台灣的國家框架問題，只是將票投給蔡英文，並不會改變馬習會造成的兩岸局勢。
Article on Impeaching President before Ma-Xi Summit Censored
As news reports and analysis of the Ma-Xi meeting were flooding news networks around the world, a story about the loss of freedom of speech for one Taiwanese law scholar was being shared wildly on Taiwanese Facebook feeds. A column published on Taiwan’s Commonwealth Magazine’s Opinion web page written by Cheng-yi Huang was taken down by site administrators, citing a need for society to “strictly and fully understand the Ma-Xi meeting”. Huang’s article, titled “The Legislative Yuan should impeach the President immediately”, offered a scathing critique of Ma’s plan to meet with China President Xi Jinping without first briefing Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan about the matter and advised Taiwanese legislators to begin impeachment proceedings in order to stop Ma from going through with the meeting.
Before the Ma-Xi Summit, Did Commonwealth Magazine “Harmonize” my Article?
Because a lot of my friends have asked me, how come we can’t see your article “Should the Legislative Yuan promptly impeach Ma Ying-jeou?” on “Opinions@Commonwealth”, I simply had to make an explanation.
The Legislative Yuan Should Impeach President Ma Immediately
President Ma’s reckless political behavior has already violated his pledge of “observ[ing] the constitution [and] faithfully perform[ing] my duties”, and has reached the level where impeachment proceedings should take place.
世紀馬習會，為會選在新加坡？
自台灣邁向民主以來，新加坡對於馬英九遠比對其他台灣政治人物友善多了。更重要的是，要進行這樣高度敏感的政治會面，新加坡提供了絕佳的政治場域，因為中國若要在一個他們宣稱擁有主權的土地上面對當地的抗議，一定會掛不住面子。習近平一定會很滿意，因為這會是有史以來最沒有人鬧場、最沒有人反對的兩岸會談。這也就是新加坡肩負兩岸交流使命的重要歷史定位，使得新加坡成為進行這類會談的關鍵場域。上次如此重大的會談發生在1993年，那場會談終結了蔣經國的「不接觸、不談判、不妥協」三不政策。這次在新加坡的會面，是否又會終結馬英九的「不統、不獨、不武」新三不政策呢？
The Ma-Xi Meeting of the Century: Why on Singaporean Grounds?
There are, in fact, crucial reasons as to why the planned location for the Ma-Xi summit is in Singapore. We might take a look. Namely, Singapore provides the perfect political climate for a highly sensitive political meeting, given its own internal authoritarianism. And Singapore occupies a particular relationship with regard to China, the KMT, and current Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou.
The Taipei Pride Parade: Not Yet a ‘Gay Utopia’?
The gay pride parade which is held yearly in Taipei took place this past Saturday. We might use the occasion to more broadly look at the current state of LGBTQ politics in Taiwan. Perhaps it is that Taiwan is still far from being the “gay utopia” it is sometimes touted as being relative to other Asian countries.
雨傘運動一周年，回顧變遷的香港與台灣
太陽花運動和雨傘運動都過了一年多，儘管台港兩地的參與者們對這兩場運動實際上產生多大成效都有許多批判，這兩場運動的廣泛影響還是不可小覷。雖然北京一再發表悖於事實的操演語言（performative rhetorics），但他們當然不笨，他們無疑瞭解到今後加強控制邊陲地區的各種努力都會面臨大規模的抵抗。倘若北京截至目前為止面對略施小計就能更有成效的局面一再堅持要大動干戈，我們就等著看他們會不會學到教訓。
Ma Ying-Jeou’s Ghost
As the saying goes: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” So if it is that through Chu replacing Hung Hsiu-Chu would reflect that the KMT still retains the ability to adapt—to take emergency measures in order to save itself at a moment of crisis when it looks like the KMT may be on its way out of Taiwanese politics for good—it is that Hung was the exception to the rule as an outlier political candidate and Chu reflects a return to normalcy. In this sense, it may be that Eric Chu is little more than Ma Ying-Jeou’s ghost.
Taiwan and the TPP
In recent weeks, with the conclusion of negotiations on the TPP, it has been a matter of much discussion as to the pros and cons of the trade agreement on member nations as now national legislatures of TPP member nations will discuss whether to ratify approval. Nonetheless, it may be the question we should be asking ourselves is regarding any future attempts by Taiwan to enter the TPP is this: In order to preserve Taiwan’s de facto independence and existing sovereignty, what do we risk in terms in terms of the democratic values we are willing to throw overboard?
Youth Politics in Hong Kong and Taiwan
For those of us who lived through the Sunflower Movement and its aftermath, Joshua Wong’s announcement of his intent to run for legislator in Hong Kong would strike as eerily familiar. Where drawing parallels and comparisons may be useful, it is to allow Hong Kong activists to better understand themselves through comparison to Taiwan and Taiwanese activists to better understand themselves through comparison to Hong Kong activists. We might compare and contrast the phenomenon of young activists entering electoral politics and general attitudes towards youth activism in both locations.
Is Fault For the KMT’s Debacle Not With Hung But the Leadership of the KMT’s “Non-Taiwanese” Leaders?
What made Hung look weak as a presidential candidate was not only her pursuit of a radical hardline position regarding cross-strait relations, but the fact that she was pushed out into the limelight because nobody in the KMT wanted to shoulder the political responsibility. It was such that the presidential campaign fell to her. If Hung’s campaign highlighted the KMT’s failures, the KMT fails entirely as a party hardly because of a one woman’s doing. We might venture an examination.
Unwelcome Chinese and Southeast Asian Immigrants
On October 5th, mainstream media outlets reported on a Chinese woman carrying her child who was defecating in front of Burberry on the streets of Oxford, England. The picture would become widely circulated on Twitter in the UK. Defecating in front of a branded boutique seems to contrast with the “rise of China” and economic prosperity; where even if the wealth accumulated in China has allowed the middle class to enjoy the life of luxury, within this discourse, it would be suggested they have not yet achieved the level of Western civilization. This is a means by which colonial discourse and discrimination against the Chinese finds new forms of expression in the age of globalization.
連結台灣第三勢力與全球新政治
很多在 2014 年無法令人想像的情景，在今年一一實現。台灣第三勢力的興起也不例外。當今有很多論點堅持點出台灣政壇的異常與世界各地的變動的不同之處，並聲稱台灣與世界政治流動毫無關聯。因此，本文希望以馬克思主義分析的角度，來對台灣及世界新興政治勢力作出重要比較，進而指出這些動態其實是源自各地人民對深陷危機的全球資本主義的反應。我們唯一的出路是與全世界勞動人民團結一致，將我們自己從資本主義的枷鎖中解放出來。
開往南方的慢船：「新」「舊」南向政策與菲律賓
面對台灣政經發展的十字路口，蔡英文「新南向政策」確實有義務整合馬政府時期對泰、越等國的教育、文化合作，並帶領國民對東南亞文化有更深的理解。民間東南亞相關的創業如「望間書店」、「四方報」、「移工商學院」等，有些已起跑多年，有些則是新進成立，亟待政府補助或推廣，讓更多台灣人對東南亞鄰居們有深入的認識，進而擺脫固有的成見。我想這是讓蔡英文「新南向政策」擺脫過去「南向政策」上頭熱，下頭冷弊病的必要工作。從單純鼓勵台商轉赴東南亞投資，到從教育著手，增加國內教育與東南亞各國相關的內容，增設東南亞語言學系──這是個從「中華天朝帝國」轉為海洋貿易國家應該有的態度。台灣「東北亞式」的視野侷限了我們的東亞觀，何時我們才要正視──其實我們也是「東南亞之北」呢？
The Link Between Taiwan’s Third Party Forces and New Political Forces Around the World
Many phenomena that would have been considered unimaginable in 2014 have unfolded in the past year, and the blossoming of Taiwan’s ’Third Political Force’ is no exception. While there are many analyses that insist on highlighting the difference, and therefore the disconnection between Taiwan’s unusual political tremors and those of the world’s, an important comparison must be made with a Marxist perspective in order to underline the plight that chains all of us—global capitalism—and the necessity for the international solidarity of the working class to overcome it together.
On the Significance of the Umbrella Movement
More than a year since the Umbrella Movement took the world by storm, the debate over its significance remains shrouded in a cloud of propaganda, censorship, or worse, a distorted form of leftist Orientalism. Instead of reducing the significance of the Umbrella Movement to a naive romanticism with liberal democracy, we could learn much more by understanding that each generation, nation, or civilization may need to learn their own lessons from their own concrete experiences, and through the creation of new theories and cultural symbols.
When Tsai Goes to Japan
Tsai Ing-Wen’s recent trip to Japan would seem to mark the second of trips abroad by Tsai in the lead up to 2016 presidential elections. The first, of course, was Tsai’s visit to the United States in June. We can point to the obvious foreign policy implications of both trips. Tsai’s visit to the United States was aimed at building better ties with America in order to shore up relations with America in order to counter the threat of China. But what political forces would it be that Tsai is seeking to ally herself with in Japan?
不受歡迎的中國人與越南移工：論物種歧視及排他主義
十月五日當天，各家外媒大肆傳閱一名中國婦人抱著男孩在英國牛津郊區 Burberry 名品店前排糞的照片。此情景引發眾多英國民眾的不解，立即拍照上傳 Tweeter 抱怨。美國創立的跨國媒體Shanghaiist 將該間商場的地圖附上，表明公共廁所不過距離幾公尺，凸顯中國婦人的舉動不僅僅只是情急之下不得已的辦法，而是中國遊客「缺乏文明素養」的常態。Shanghaiist 網站甚至附上「Tourists Behave Badly」的標籤，其中幾乎所有的新聞都是關於中國遊客在公共場所排泄、不當裸露、或者將臀部擺放於雕像上的照片。在精品店前排泄的照片，更是在諷刺中國的經濟富強，即使能讓一部分的中產階級享受奢華的消費，卻無論如何也不能達到西方所有的文明層次。舊有的殖民思維及種族主義，搭配著全球化下新一波的仇華情結持續上演。
Is the KMT Devouring Itself?
Is the bizarre spectacle of KMT members demonstrating in front of KMT headquarters this past Wednesday revealing of new and significant splits within the KMT? The demonstration was about current internal machinations within the KMT to replace current presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-Chu with current KMT chairman Eric Chu. This last minute turnabout would contravene the KMT constitution, thus requiring amendment of the constitution, and it is still a last minute upset that a plan to replace Hung would in fact be launched. This may be indicative of significant rupture within the KMT establishment if, as evidenced in the demonstration outside KMT headquarters, we are to judge by what forces have arrayed themselves behind Hung.
The Rise and Fall of Hung Hsiu-Chu
With the possibility of Hung Hsiu-Chu’s replacement as KMT presidential candidate by Eric Chu in the near future, is it time to start speaking of Hung in past tense? We might look back on Hung’s meteoric rise and fall. Because if certainly one of the more colorful characters to make an appearance in Taiwanese politics in a long time, Hung also seems a figure vaguely emblematic of the times.
卡式台胞證3大觀察點：矮化台灣，對中系統失能，資安疑慮
「好歹商量一下，太不尊重我們了」面對中國強勢推行卡式台胞證，陸委會夏立言僅能表示無奈。從6月中國政協主席俞正聲宣布適時推動卡式台胞證，到9月全面實施，短短3個月時間內陸委會一退再退，陷台灣於「港澳化」的陷阱；而壟罩個資外洩疑雲的卡式台胞證本身，更是引起國內恐懼。卡式台胞證究竟是什麼？為什麼對台灣不利？陸委會有無失能？筆者下文將提出3大觀察點供讀者參考，並論卡式台胞證對民進黨中國政策的啟示。
A Changed Hong Kong and Taiwan One Year after the Umbrella and Sunflower Movement?
As part of recent moves at centralizing its authority and expanding regional power, China wishes to firmly consolidate its rule over Hong Kong, and at least in public rhetoric, seeks to resolve the longstanding Taiwan question as soon as possible. This will not be easy for China, especially after 2014 saw the outbreak of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement and Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement. As we reach the one year anniversary of the Umbrella Movement’s beginning, we might look back on Hong Kong and Taiwan after the year of the Umbrella Movement and Sunflower Movement.
What’s In A Passport?
What’s in a passport? This would be seem to be a question up in the air for Taiwan lately. A recent incident involving a Taiwanese citizen being refused admittance to the UN office in Geneva using a Republic of China passport as proof of identity has only driven home the point of Taiwan’s exclusion from the international community. China, in the meantime, has announced the implementation of an electronic card system replacing the “Taiwan compatriot travel document” used previously. Months previously, a campaign to put stickers on the “Republic of China” passport to make it read “Republic of Taiwan” was started by artist Denis Chen. Subsequent attempts by the Bureau of Consular Affairs to crack down on usage of such stickers has led to protest by civil society groups in recent days.
RCA Taiwan and Its Victims
In 1969, the Radio Corporation of America, an international company from the developed world, chose Taiwan, a developing country which had lower wages but high quality labor, not to mention loose labor and environment regulations, to establish its new factory. Sadly, the famous company did not tell its employees that, during the process of manufacturing, large amount of dangerous chemical pollutants was used and later discharged into the air, water and ground of the RCA factory.
新加坡，吾愛：李光耀與新加坡的關係
今年的新加坡國慶，是李光耀過世後的第一次國慶，這個由多種族、多國籍組成的五百萬人小國，發生了什麼樣的改變呢？跟以往 49 年一樣，我們不意外看到遊行裡濃厚的激昂情緒與愛國情操，群眾聚在一年一度搭建的舞台旁，看著煙火點燃夜空，將國家的富裕與成究深深烙印在大家心中。
Mr. Xi Goes to Washington
Several weeks after the largest military parade Asia has seen in probably decades put on by China in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese War, Xi Jinping will arrive in America for a weeklong visit starting on September 22nd. Xi’s first visit to America in his capacity as Chinese president occurs in a time of increasing tensions. But even as China preaches peace, China seems compelled to assert its military strength and demonstrate that China is a military power which will not be bullied by western powers. What will this bode for Taiwan and other Asia-Pacific territories, caught as they are between America and China?
China and the Opiate of the Masses
To date, instead of taking a step forward, China has tightened its political control. From the arrest of more than a hundred human rights activist and lawyers to the crackdown of the Christian communities, China has not improved at all. The recent crackdown at a Zhejiang village is an example of the Xi’s ideological control taking form. Rumors are that authorities in Zhejiang province are under a two-month deadline to remove crosses, the symbolism of Christianity, from the 4,000 or so churches of the region.
Marxist Basics with Parson: How Did Stalin and Mao Betray Marxism? Part II
Mao not only betrays correct Marxism on a practical level, he also invented a number of “theories” which is now known as Marxism and considered by some to be a legitimate “branch” of Marxism. Today, we can find traces of obsessive followers of Maoism from within China to around the world, from academics, students, and even terrorist organizations. The readers of Taiwan usually are familiar with the horrors happening in China under Mao, but there is seldom an exploration of how Mao’s betrayal of Marxism resulted in these horrors.
阿進教你馬克思：史達林和毛澤東如何背叛馬克思主義？（下）
在上個世紀裡的確出現如史達林、毛澤東、金日成等角色，大言不慚的以馬克思主義的名義建立了這段讓人民不堪回首的過去。但是，這些政權的形成和最終滅亡，真能夠證明馬克思主義是錯誤的嗎？
Can We Understand Article 9 Protests in Japan Alongside Other Asian Social Movements?
Recently we have seen widespread protest in Japan against the reinterpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, traditionally understood as the “pacifist clause” of the Japanese constitution which forbid the waging of future war by Japan after the brutalities of World War II. With the mass participation of young people in recent protests, can we point to parallels between present events in Japan and other recent Asian social movements?
中國與「黑色星期一」：國內外政策的蛛絲馬跡？
中國經濟一再重演的先崩潰後復甦循環，是否反而令人憂心中國的外交政策走向？雖然大多數對於中國經濟的分析都和外交政策完全脫鉤，但這其實是一大錯誤，尤其在中國政府的決策過程本身就是中央集權一環的情況下。換言之，當中國市場已經到達成長的極限，甚至需要人為抬高股價或政府紓困，為確保市場持續發展，對外實施領土擴張也就變得更加要緊。不論中國經濟是否能夠回復成長，或者還要繼續暴跌一段才會復甦，中國的影響力始終都在。那麼，中國的經濟衰退是否會導致外交政策更具侵略性？中國的周邊鄰國在不久的將來恐怕都得提出這個疑問。
Nostalgia for Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore and Its Role in Upcoming Elections
What is so interesting about 2015 elections in Singapore, which will happen on September 11th, is that it will be the first election held after the death of the nation’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew. Under Lee’s iron-fist and steadfast authoritative rule, the country has been a one-party state since its founding, not until 2011 when one of the opposition party won for one of the constituencies contested. But in spite of his death, use of the memory of the deceased Lee Kuan Yew may help the PAP secure its foothold for at least another five years.
The Ministry of Education Occupation From Beginning to End
One month after the end of the Ministry of Education occupation which took place in August, we might look back on the series of events which took place during the past month. This is the complete account of last month’s Ministry of Education occupation from New Bloom editor Brian Hioe, who was present for most of the occupation from the beginning to end.
Will a Visit From Taiwan’s Former Vice President Lend Weight to China’s Revisionist WWII History?
Lien Chan, who served as vice president of Taiwan (Republic of China) from 1996 to 2000, has departed Taipei to attend a World War II military parade to be held in neighboring People’s Republic of China on September 3, 2015. The news stirred a lot of controversy as Lien was a high-profile figure in Taiwan’s ruling political party Kuomintang and his presence is symbolic to the Chinese Communist Party’s military performance.
台灣前副總統連戰參加中共抗戰七十週年閱兵引發爭議
曾擔任中華民國副總統(1996-2000)的連戰於8月30日前往北京, 準備參加9月3日中共舉辦的抗戰勝利70週年閱兵，引發許多質疑。現任總統馬英九表示此舉並不恰當，因為作為國民黨中堅，連戰的在場將被解讀為認受中共領導有關中國共產黨於抗日戰爭發揮了「中流砥柱」的角色的說法，並矮化國民黨的領導地位。前行政院長（1981-1989）及二戰退役軍官郝柏村，也投書香港明報，其公開信中表示，中國共產黨應該修正對二戰的史觀，承認中國國民黨在之中的領導角色。
左統到底在害怕什麼？
近日來，支持兩岸統一的左派人士似乎對太陽花學運意見分歧，更準確來說有兩派不同的看法：其中一派比較認同太陽花學運表現出台灣社會的聲音，另一派則是認為運動整體來說不可取。劉紀蕙近日在《破土Ground Breaking》網站（註：有別於本網站，《破土New Bloom》）上刊登一篇專文討論太陽花學運，並批判趙剛等人的傳統左統聲音；我們也許能以這樣的方式，來看待台灣左統論述的兩派看法。在接下來的爭論之中，社群媒體上有年輕一輩的堅定左統人士（如苦勞網記者王顯中），試圖替趙剛辨護，指責劉紀蕙將個體與群體經驗混為一談；而後，趙剛也在Ground Breaking網站上撰文回應劉紀蕙。這項激辯後來又引來一些與新左派運動相關的中國學者的注意；這顯示出了中國新左派、香港親中左派，與台灣左統之間的共同論述。劉紀蕙後來又在另一篇文章中發表回應。
CNEX 執行長陳玲珍訪談
CNEX 從創立以來一直提供華人新一代紀錄片工作者非常重要的交流平台，所監製的紀錄片也在國際上逐漸受到重視。創立到現在已經九年，九年之間兩岸三地的紀錄片光譜如同它所記錄的大社會型態一樣變化遽大。《破土》訪談了 CNEX 創辦人之一，目前 CNEX執行長陳玲珍，以下為訪談內容。
China, “Black Monday”, and Future Implications for Domestic and Foreign Policy
If global financial markets have begun panicking, with “Black Monday” on Wall Street largely attributed to fears about China’s faltering economy, it seems likely this will mark an end to permanent confidence about China’s ability to continually grow economically as though the sky were the limit. But is it possible that China’s recent economic woes may lead to both increasingly aggressive foreign policy as well attempts to crack down on perceived domestic dissidence?
Singapura Mon Amour
This year marks the first national day Singapore has held without Lee Kuan Yew. How has things changed for this small nation of 5 million people? Nearing close to half a year since Lee’s death, has Singapore political landscape, once under the iron fist of Lee, altered in any way? Has the controversy of the inherent lack of rights in Singapore shown in the curtail of liberties and libels charges used to target opposition, such as the arrest of 16 year old boy Amos Yee, send an awakening call to the public?
The Tianjin Explosion, Chinese Government Responses, and Media Spectacle
We may note with dark irony the series of reactions to the Tianjin explosion across the media landscape both inside and outside of China. To begin with, the explosion had the makings of public spectacle, what with the numerous videos which were taken at the time of the explosion and which were circulated across social media. But why the Tianjin explosions in particular? Namely, the Tianjin explosions were the fifth chemical explosion in 4 months.
上海發生的五萬人示威抗議，國際媒體怎能不報導？
兩個月前，上海出現了大規模的群眾動員，有些報導宣稱，多達五萬人參與了反對興建化工廠的環境議題示威。西方媒體卻完全不曾報導，即使華文媒體的報導也很稀少，中國媒體幾乎不報導這個事件，台灣、香港等中國周邊華文國家及地區的媒體則多半試著從社群媒體或微博上蒐集資訊。既然中國在全球事務上可說是東亞最重要的國家，過去一星期的一連串示威抗議直到今天在西方世界仍然幾乎沒有報導，就很令人意外了。更奇怪的是，持續發展了一周之久的新聞事件竟然缺少媒體報導。
From the Sunflower Movement to the Anti-Textbook Revision Movement
Looking back we can maybe say that in some way that the textbook protests which have rocked Taiwan in the past week occurred in the shadow of last year’s Sunflower Movement. Though I think it true to say that the movement eventually developed its own identity as distinct from the Sunflower Movement, this was true from the beginning, where the original plan to surround the Ministry of Education which was publicly announced by activists several months in advance was called a “Second Sunflower Movement.” With the end of the occupation, if we are to look back on the movement, was it really a second Sunflower Movement?
The Crisis of Taiwanese Politics as Expressed Through the Anti-Textbook Revision Movement?
Political reactions to the occupation were revealing is in regards to the deep splits within the KMT which have been made quite evident in recent days. The strategy by which the DPP has positioned itself relative to the textbook controversy are also in some way revealing of its current stances relative to issues which have been raised since last year’s Sunflower Movement concerning KMT authoritarianism—and more broadly threats to maintaining Taiwan’s status of de facto independence relative to China. Lastly, the role of independent political forces within Taiwanese society at present can also be seen from how they engaged with the political crisis.
For Truly Democratic Education, Taiwanese Must Overthrow Capitalism!
Taiwanese conservatives, “Left” unificationists, and ultra-left sectarians, all happen to understand the non-stop stream of student movement as the DPP’s manipulation of nationalism, or its buying of the agitation of young students of Taiwan. This kind of short-sighted and limited analysis, only reflects the lack of understanding of how society changes, but also lacks a recognition of the political and economic reasons for the growing anti-government demonstration
要擁有民主的教育，台灣人需要推翻資本主義！
臺灣右翼、左統和極左派，不約而同的認為，接二連三的學生抗爭行動都只是民進黨背後操作民粹、收買或煽動台灣年輕學子。甚至說得好像台灣年輕人很喜歡一天到晚尋釁滋事、擾亂社會。這種短視且片面的分析，不止反應了這些觀點對社會變動的無知，更缺乏了對於源源不絕的抗爭浪潮背後的政治經濟分析。
台灣激進左派為何害怕反課綱運動？
Why Are Self-Proclaimed Members of the Taiwanese Radical Left Afraid of the Anti-Textbook Revision Movement?
Why are certain self-proclaimed members of Taiwan’s radical Left so afraid of the current anti-textbook revision movement? And in this case, it would look like the political Left is afraid of a bunch of children—high schoolers, that is. So very radical that is. Going back to last year’s Sunflower Movement, once again we find ourselves in the situation where a small segment of the self-proclaimed Left backs away from a mass uprising of Taiwanese society, proclaiming it to be a mere expression of right-wing populism.
Five Days of Struggle Against Black Box Education In Taiwan
After an attempt to occupy the Ministry of Education on July 23rd in which student occupiers got as far as the office of the Minister of Education, since July 30th the Ministry of Education courtyard has been occupied after demonstrators forced down the razor wire barriers and pushed back the police the night of the 30th. The actions of July 30th had been motivated by the suicide of Lin Kuanhua, a student activist who was apparently the first of the student occupiers who was arrested in the Minister of Education’s office. Five days into the occupation we might note international responses to date and future prospects for the movement.
曾和楊關於馬克思主義的辯論
以下摘錄的辯論，是起於破土讀者及紅土文藝作家曾維堂投稿給我們的一篇文章，反駁楊進之前發表的「什麼是社會主義」，以及楊進針對這篇駁文的回應。曾維堂所著全文也可在新時代青年團：社會主義者BLOG 裡找到。破土絕對歡迎讀者們踴躍投稿、討論，或是對任何破土專欄作家的發表提出建設性的質疑。但是，破土是一個致力於產生新內容的網站，我們並不希望重複刊登已在他處發表過的文章。由於我們在第一時間已經答應曾先生的請求，我們也會遵守我們的承諾。日後，破土會盡快推出有關投稿辯論的導引，敬請期待。
Lessons from the Greek Referendum for Referendum Reform in Taiwan?
Even as Taiwan’s political Left has, like much of the international Left, been enraptured with the ongoing drama of SYRIZA and Greece, it seems the Taiwanese Left has largely not seen where lessons from current circumstances in Greece apply to Taiwan. Namely, a key part of the drama in Greece was a public referendum among the Greek public which took place on July 5th as to whether to accept the bailout conditions of the European Union or not. Like Greece and, for that matter, Scotland, Taiwan is one of the few countries in the world where large-scale public referendum is on the table as a political possibility. Yet there has been little commentary regarding what lessons the Greek and Scottish referendum can offer Taiwan in terms of lessons.
Article 9 and Japan’s Democratic Crisis
Once again, we find ourselves in the situation where tens of thousands of individuals gather on the streets in an Asian metropolitan area, but the situation is largely not reported globally. Today we find ourselves in Japan, where up to sixty thousand gathered last Wednesday in front of the Diet to protest the repeal of Japan’s Article 9 and one hundred thousand are expected to gather over the weekend against the planned repeal and in favor of that Article 9 remain as part of the Japanese constitution. Though the actual crowd count is unclear, over ten thousand gather daily.
Ethno-Cultural Conflict of Uyghurs and Hans, Repatriation of Thai Government
International law states we shall not send the refugees to any country harmful to them. The Thai government ignores this and asserts to repatriate Uyghurs accused of crimes on dubious evidence to China. It seems Thailand is now not only violating international law, but its little sense of humanity is shown to international communities. Some may argue, this is just a national policy of repatriation. But what about putting human rights before policy?
Marxist Basics with Parson: How Did Stalin and Mao Betray Marxism?
Nowadays most people would associate the word “Communism” with a twisted society plagued by poverty, totalitarianism, and a cult of personality. In the past century there certainly were politicians such as Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Kim Il-sung who shamelessly built such societies in the name of Marxism. However, can the formation and the eventual collapse of these governments really prove that Marxism is fundamentally wrong?
How Could A Demonstration of 50,000 in Shanghai Not Be Reported in International Media?
Shanghai in the last month has seen massive mobilizations, some reports of which claim that up to 50,000 participated in environmental demonstrations against the building of a chemical plant. This has not at all been reported upon in western media, although details in Sinophone media are also sparse. The past week of actions dates to June 22nd, when a demonstration in which protestors occupied the space outside the Jinshui District Government in the suburb of Jinshui, Shanghai. Protestors were demonstrating against the building of a PX chemical plant in Shanghai, despite government claims that such a plant was not being built.
At Heart, What are the Fears of the Pro-Unification Left?
It would seem that there is something of a divide among the so-called pro-unification Left about the Sunflower Movement these days. Namely, there seems to be a divide between those who are in some way more sympathetic to the Sunflower Movement as an expression of Taiwanese society and those who would seek to dismiss the movement as a whole. This is perhaps how we can understand the divide within the Taiwanese pro-unification Left in regards to Joyce Liu’s recent article concerning the Sunflower Movement published in Ground Breaking and its critique of older, more traditional voices of the pro-unification Left as Zhao Gang.
阿進教你馬克思：史達林和毛澤東如何背叛馬克思主義？（上）
在現代人的印象中，「共產主義」不免令人聯想到極權統治、民不聊生、個人崇拜、黨國政治的變態社會。在上個世紀裡的確出現如史達林、毛澤東、金日成等角色，大言不慚的以馬克思主義的名義建立了這段讓人民不堪回首的過去。但是，這些政權的形成和最終滅亡，真能夠證明馬克思主義是錯誤的嗎？
希拉蕊和她的彩虹旗：符號的力量與虛構
美國民主黨總統大選候選人希拉蕊．柯林頓 24 號在臉書公佈了她最新的競選短片，以數個同志婚禮場景的影像，並以自己的聲音做旁白，表明自己對同志權益特別是對同志婚姻的支持。諷刺的是，希拉蕊在 2013 年之前都曾數次表達自己反同婚的立場，例如她在 2008 年角逐民主黨總統候選人時的理念，認為婚姻是屬於「一個男人和一個女人間的結合」。當去年民主黨黨內總統候選人初選正如火如荼進行中時，在一則 National Public Radio 的訪問裡，希拉蕊表明他支持「同志權利即是人權」的立場，但這些權利必須讓各州政府去決定，換句話說，她並不支持同志婚姻在國家聯邦層級受到認可。
In Search of Lost Time
It is remarkable at times to note the electrifying effect of foreign media on public discourse in Taiwan. How could it not, given Taiwan’s state of existential obscurity? So it is no surprise that when DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-Wen was featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s Asia edition, an enormous amount of discussion broke out within Taiwan about the significance of this event. Where that the fundamental assumptions that the Time Magazine article based itself off of were pro-Beijing and the majority of sources quoted took KMT talking points has been well documented. Thus, here we might concern ourselves less with the content of the article itself, but the reception of the article and what that bodes for the future of 2016 elections.
Beyond Targeting Hung Hsiu-Chu
In the project of actively eliminating the KMT from Taiwan, civil society will have to take the leading role, but it will only be able to do so if it is able itself to arrive at the awareness of that the Hung Hsiu-Chu candidacy is reflective of the crisis of the KMT as a whole and that the Hung Hsiu-Chu candidacy is too valuable an opportunity to damage the KMT as a whole to pass up.
運用全球法理學，實現通姦除罪及同性婚姻合法化
今天的台灣有兩項急迫的議題，有待大法官會議全力投入跨國對話：通姦入罪，以及禁止同性婚姻。大法官會議遲早是要面對它們的，因此理當把握機會審慎思考全球法理學近年來在全世界大多數國家促成通姦除罪化，並且讓越來越多國家的憲法法庭裁定同性婚姻合法化的發展。比方說，倘若大法官會議仍舊堅持裁定台灣刑法的通姦罪、或是民法婚姻篇界定婚姻為男女結合的相關條文符合憲法，它就不得不徹底而明確地解釋自己的判決要旨為何與去年12月才廢除刑法通姦罪條文的韓國憲法法庭，以及過去幾年來裁定同性婚姻合法的好幾個美國上訴法庭有所歧異。
Predictable Emptiness
In her thirty minute long speech in New York City, which was attended by over a thousand, Tsai spoke of her admiration to New York City as a “city where dreams come true,” her willingness to work with the rising Third Party movements in Taiwan, and a growing “new Asian value of democracy” that is championed by Taiwan. Granted that this particular speech is not designed for a disposition of policies, Tsai’s speech still lacked any concrete substance into what makes her a suitable candidate for presidency.
What was the Other Side of Tsai Ing-Wen’s Visit to the United States?
DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-Wen’s recent twelve-day tour of the United States has been hailed as a success, not only by her supporters, but also by outside commentators. Certainly, while the purpose of Tsai’s visit was in part to raise the international profile of her campaign among overseas Taiwanese and Taiwanese-Americans, we might also point towards the integral importance of the meetings that took place between Tsai, American senators, and government officials. Namely, Tsai had a need to meet with American government officials and convince them that she would not be disruptive to regional stability.
Marxist Basics with Parson
“Socialism” is a term that’s often conjured up in public discourse, yet seemingly amorphous in our political vocabulary. Taiwanese Social Democratic Party leader Fan Yun publicly discusses her approval of socialism. US politician Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for presidential candidate, calls himself a “Scandinavian socialist.” The President of France Francois Hollande’s political party is called the Socialist Party. On the other hand, the former USSR referred to itself as a “socialist country”—as does today’s China. This one single term seems to cover so many different political philosophies. What is the basic demand of socialism, then?
Electoral Politics for 2016 in the US and Taiwan
Though it proves too early to forecast the results of 2016 elections in either Taiwan or America, we might use this time to provide some sketches as to how elections are shaping up to be at this juncture. Namely, we might point towards a homology between the situation in America and in Taiwan. Broadly, we might point towards the structural condition between two-party liberal democracies that operate under a free market economic system as the reason for similarities between the situation in Taiwanese and American elections.
國民黨如何陰魂不散至今？
中國國民黨主席朱立倫最近與身兼中國共產黨總書記的中國國家主席習近平會談，這個舉動再次引發了台灣左翼人士的強烈譴責。朱立倫在習近平面前落居下風的姿態，所帶來的批判則包括一個長久未解的問題：國民黨到底有沒有資格以政黨之姿繼續存在於台灣？我們當然能夠持續過去幾十年來的做法，繼續撰寫車載斗量的著述譴責國民黨，要求把它徹底消滅；可是直到今天，國民黨不僅仍是台灣的重要政黨，過去八年來更是贏得民主選舉合法統治台灣的執政黨。放眼全世界，再也找不到另一個威權政黨能和國民黨一樣，不僅能在民主政治中存活，更能適應民主政治；而我們也早就知道國民黨之所以如此堅韌，絕不是因為他們的思想或道德操守站在正義一方。那麼，運用辯證及歷史分析探討國民黨得以適應、蛻變，繼而持續控制台灣社會的原因何在，也就很有必要了。
華文世界中的「左獨」與「左統」
目前看來，隨著「左獨」立場逐漸抬頭，「左統」在台灣及海外的活動也更加咄咄逼人，積極對台灣公民社會發動各種批判和攻擊。換言之，這些多半信奉社會主義或馬克思主義的團體所要建立的，是一個包含中港台˙在內的社會主義中國。台灣新興的第三勢力政黨真的是左翼嗎？這還有待觀察，或許最終未必如此。可是相較於宣稱中國共產黨仍然是「左派」的那些人，這些政黨當然也算得上「左派」，不多也不少。以下，我們要試著檢視左統攻擊的基礎所在，以及我方同路人的某些批判論點。
阿進教你馬克思：什麼是社會主義？
「社會主義」一詞在台灣和世界左派是個常被提及，但似乎模稜兩可的政治詞彙。社民黨主席范雲提及過她對社會主義的認可。美國民主黨總統參選人桑德斯自稱是「北歐式社會主義者」。法國總統奧蘭德隸屬的政黨全名為社會主義黨。但另一方面，現今的中國與前蘇聯這樣的政權也都以「社會主義國家」自居。同樣一詞，卻涵蓋了如此眾多不同的政治理念。那社會主義的基本訴求到底是什麼？在馬克思主義框架下，哪一種社會主義才是最有效，最能改善社會的政治路線呢？
The Pro-Independence Left versus the Pro-Unification Left in the Sinophone World
It would seem after the Sunflower Movement, the actions of the pro-unification Left in and outside Taiwan has become increasingly aggressive in its criticisms and attacks conducted on Taiwanese civil society. Namely, what is aimed for by these groups, mostly Marxist or socialist in orientation, is the establishment of a single socialist nation, inclusive of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. We might venture a criticism of our own.
How is the KMT Still a Thing?
We can write mountains of books condemning the KMT and calling for its destruction, as we’ve done for decades. Yet, it remains not only a major political party, but also a democratically elected ruling party of our country of 8 years. There isn’t another authoritarian political party in the world that survives and adapts to liberal democracy as well as the KMT. We already know that the reason for their resilience certainly isn’t the righteousness of their ideology or moral integrity. It is then worthwhile to find a material, historical analysis on how KMT was able to adapt, morph, and remains in control of the Taiwanese society.
Looking Back on the Chu-Xi Debacle
The talk of all Taiwan of late has, of course, been the meeting between KMT Chairman Eric Chu and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday. The meeting was from beginning to end an object of much speculation, drama, and hype, having been preceded for months by an elaborate amount of back and forth pageantry between the KMT and CCP about whether to not the meeting would take place. After the meeting finally happened, an enormous amount of commentary was produced speculating as to its broader implications. We might look back on the whole sordid affair.
九二共識是國民黨的鴉片
國民黨主席朱立倫率領中國國民黨代表團至北京與中國共產黨主席習近平會面，會晤後引起台灣與國際輿論熱烈討論，許多國際媒體陸續指出國民黨到中國向習近平表態支持與中國統一，如美國福斯新聞、英國衛報、英國晨星報、美聯社、澳洲人…等等皆有此論述。在引起如此多波瀾後，國民黨與朱立倫主席回台後趕緊滅火指正外媒、並且指責在野黨誣蔑抹黑抹紅國民黨，國民黨是在「九二共識」的前提下與中國共產黨會面，未涉及任何主權討論。然而，這究竟是國際媒體的問題，台灣在野黨的問題？又或是中國國民黨的問題？
走不出世界的中國原住民，在世界漂流的台灣少數民族
自 2002 年起，紐約聯合國總部開始舉行聯合國原住民族議題常設論壇，這是個已經舉行超過十年的論壇。台灣政府雖然非聯合國成員，但仍舊有許多官方與非官方組織的台灣原住民團體連結美國在地非政府組織與台裔美國人，以觀察員的身分列席參與此全球原住民盛事。此外，紐約台北經濟文化辦事處也會在同時間舉辦論壇，廣邀列席聯合國原住民常設論壇的各國原住民參與活動。有趣的是，參與活動的台灣原住民表示，多年來中國政府也是年年參與此論壇，但卻未曾看過中國「原住民」參與此論壇。中國政府每年必出席活動，屬於一種監督者的角色，觀察有無參與活動的與會國家原住民提及「台灣」與「中國少數民族」等敏感詞彙。
新自由主義，民族中心主義與台灣獨立
想想看，假如海外台灣人和台裔美國人社群在太陽花運動期間不是全力支持學生抗爭，而是極力質疑抗爭學生不懂複雜的經濟問題，進而完全忽視他們，說他們操之過急，這種問題最好還是交給政府決定，會帶來怎樣的結果。確實，有些人就是用這種論調回應的。但海外台灣人和台裔美國人社群在去年三月，多半還是積極聲援學生，並呼籲全世界關注台灣民主政治的危機。那時，全世界各地都發起了聲援太陽花抗爭的示威遊行。但馬英九政權片面決定讓台灣申請成為中國主導的亞洲基礎建設投資銀行（Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank，簡稱「亞投行」AIIB）會員的舉動，卻在部分海外台灣人及台裔美國人社群中引發了和去年大相逕庭的回應。
第三勢力成與敗，扯了民進黨後腿？或是推了民進黨一把？
Neoliberalism, Ethnocentrism, and Taiwanese Independence
Imagine if during the Sunflower Movement, instead of rallying in support of student activists, the reaction of the overseas Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American community had been to remark skeptically as to the understanding of student activists’ understanding of complicated, economic manners, then to write them off as having been overly hasty in their actions. For the most part, overseas Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American groups, came forward in support of students and sought to call attention to Taiwan’s crisis of democracy during March of last year. Yet the response of some Taiwanese-American groups to the Ma administration’s recent unilateral decision for Taiwan to apply to the Chinese Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank may be surprising.
Why Socialism is Taiwan’s Only Hope for Independence
The chief reason why Taiwanese independence still resides in the margins of Taiwanese politics despite widespread support is because of Taiwan’s capitalist sociopolitical system. If the Taiwanese Left truly wants to realize an independent, sovereign Taiwan, it must recognize that our current political establishment needs to be replaced by one that truly reflects the majoritarian opinion, rather than a system that is controlled by the wealthy.
這是「高度警惕」台獨分裂傾向的時刻？還是台灣獨立的天賜良機？
歸根結底，當前這個看上去更像是冷戰時期的局面，或許是個賽局理論的課題。中國真的想要併吞台灣嗎？這會是台灣的生存危機嗎？只有時間才能證明。但是對台灣獨立而言，不去動搖現狀真的是最安全的選擇嗎？不作為以求自保才是唯一的出路嗎？即使宣布獨立意味著和中國展開一場危機重重的膽小鬼博弈（game of chicken）？
太陽花一年
太陽花運動是從 2014 年 3 月 18 日開始的，正是整整一年前。事件發生一年後，在我們這些有心參與台灣前途的人們看來，結論是很明確的：太陽花運動創造了歷史。而今，太陽花運動走進了歷史。太陽花運動將與過往爭取台灣民主的漫漫長路上一連串的鬥爭並列，像是 1979 年的美麗島事件，以及 1990 年的野百合運動。但我們要怎麼在歷史上指出太陽花運動的具體影響，則仍未明朗。事實上，此刻其實還言之過早。但我們至少可以分析過去一年裡那些能夠追溯到太陽花運動的事件。
How to Become a Meaningful New Party in Taiwan?
The spirit of Sunflower is at the gates of the Legislative Yuan again. This time, it aims to rescue Taiwan’s hard-earned democracy by challenging the bipartisan gridlock that has stymied the nation for far too long. How can Dr. Fan Yun’s Social Democratic Party and Freddy Lim’s New Power Party emerge as true Leftist alternatives for the Taiwanese people? Should they be elected, how can they avoid being bullied into the margin by the two parties of the ruling class? Which direction should they pursue to grow into a true force of change for Taiwan?
The Significance of 330 for Taiwan
Despite the very transparent success of 330, another way of looking at it, 330 was a failed revolutionary situation. 500,000 had descended upon Taipei—some five percent of the Taiwanese population—but the opportunity had actually been missed where no demands were realized from the government that day. Though protest had taken place during 330 on a scale not seen in decades, the protest had just been a large-scale demonstration, much larger than any of the large-scale demonstrations in previous months or years, but not substantially different where it was a one-day act of protest. Yet how are the possibilities for Left politics in Taiwan changed after 330?
Using Global Jurisprudence to Decriminalize Adultery and Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
As the purpose of the transnational network of judges is to spur the exchange of ideas, it is incumbent on Taiwan’s Constitutional Court not only to provide information, but also to fully and openly contemplate opinions by other constitutional courts and engage in active discourse. Today, there are two pressing issues in Taiwan on which the Constitutional Court could fully engage in transnational conversations: the criminalization of adultery and the prohibition of same-sex marriage.
A Year of Sunflowers?
The Sunflower Movement began on March 18th, 2014, one year ago today. One year after the fact, for those of us who concern ourselves with Taiwan’s future, the verdict is clear: the Sunflower Movement made history. And now, the Sunflower Movement has passed into history. The Sunflower Movement will take its place alongside past struggles in the long journey of Taiwanese democracy as the Wild Lily Movement of 1990 and the Kaohsiung Incident of 1979. But less clear is what, in history, we will be able to point to as the concrete effects of the movement. In truth, it is still too early to tell. But we can examine the past year’s events as we can root them in the Sunflower Movement.
A Time for “High Vigilance” Against Taiwanese Independence? Or High Time for Taiwanese Independence?
Is the safest move to not rock the boat where Taiwanese independence is concerned? Is the only winning move not to play? Even if it may mean playing a dangerous game of chicken with China through declaring independence? Xi Jinping has vowed the “reunification” of mainland China and Taiwan within his presidential term, which runs until 2020. And so, in the present, this is the question which we must ask ourselves.
Against Both KMT and DPP?
That on February 21, Chthonic frontman and longtime Taiwanese independence activist, Freddy Lim, declared his intent to run for legislator of his native Daan district in 2016 has been the latest development in Taiwanese electoral politics as we approach 2016 legislative and presidential elections. Lim plans on running as a candidate of the New Power Party, which was founded in late January. But more broadly, we can point to Lim’s candidacy as one of a series of developments which occur in the aftermath of the Sunflower Movement and the victory of Ko Wen-Je during nine-in-one elections of November of last year.
America and The History of Taiwanese Independence
It may be ironic that Taiwanese independence, in necessitating the acknowledgement of Taiwan by other nation-states, has been heavily dependent upon acknowledgement of Taiwan by America. American foreign policy was what had led to Taiwan’s expulsion from the international community to begin with, as Taiwan’s loss of UN status came after and was as a result of the US establishing diplomatic relations with China and breaking off diplomatic relations with Taiwan. As such, it is because of American policy that Taiwan became unacknowledged as a political polity by the world community.
Who Betrayed Formosa?
228 was the anti-colonial uprising in 1947 that occurred in reaction against KMT oppression of native Taiwanese after the KMT came to Taiwan from China which was set off by the shooting of a woman selling tobacco by KMT law enforcement. Kerr, an American diplomat in the American Foreign Service, was a witness to the 228 Massacre and wrote Formosa Betrayed in order to point towards what he saw as the moral failings of America in failing to act on behalf of Taiwanese. The work would later serve a valuable eyewitness account for Taiwanese learning of the history repressed by the KMT within Taiwan. But have Taiwanese today forgotten what Kerr’s original demand of responsibility to America was in their appeals to America?
一場缺乏性權利的性別化運動
陳為廷的醜聞之所以成為這麼重大的事件，是因為陳為廷投入選舉政治的重要性被放在陳為廷作為政治行動者及單一個人的吸引力，而非陳為廷所象徵的社會意義之中認知。這次事件顯現出太陽花運動本身也不能免於台灣公民政治存在數十年之久的性別歧視。批判的確隨之而來，但整體而言無法討論到陳為廷之所以失足的更大脈絡。實際上，這場醜聞也無法在台灣社會運動者中間激起對於太陽花運動內部性別政治本質任何根本缺陷的深入自我反思，它終究只造就了一場淺薄的討論，充其量只是沒話找話說，完全不具備任何基本價值的重新評估，更不足以導向性權利或性別平等的結構性變革。台灣社會運動者們必須更堅定地意識到這些問題，否則所能造成的改變將是微乎其微。
Chen Shui-Bian’s Release and the Question of Taiwanese Independence
On Monday, former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-Bian was released on medical parole after six years of imprisonment on a 20-year sentence on charges of corruption. Medical parole will last for one month, after which his condition will be evaluated. Chen’s release comes after a series of campaigns calling for his release on grounds of human rights. But while release of former president Chen Shui-Bian on medical parole has been welcomed by many Taiwanese activists, but have reactions from society at large been so positive? And what does Chen’s release mean for the broader question of Taiwanese independence?
A Sexualized Movement Without Sexual Rights
The scandal which has rocked Taiwanese activist circles in the past week has been Sunflower movement leader and Miaoli legislator hopeful Chen Wei-Ting’s admission of several sexual harassment incidents. Why the scandal over Chen Wei-Ting would become such a large incident was because the significance of Chen entering electoral politics was viewed in terms of Chen’s personal appeal as a political actor and individual rather than in terms of what Chen represented. In this way, the actual questions at hand in regards to deep-rooted issues of male sexism and chauvinism in Taiwanese activist politics and society end up buried.
把握大選衝力，將人權放上台灣首要議題
經過上星期六的勝利，民進黨再一次得到了完成陳水扁總統未竟之志的機會。儘管民進黨主席蔡英文目前看來是非國民黨陣營最被看好的2016總統候選人，但包含無黨籍候選人在內的其他可能人選，未來兩年內也將起而挑戰她，或是角逐立法院席次。不管最後是誰代表參選，反對陣營都一定要把握這次勝選的衝勁，再次將人權排上台灣的首要議題。
遊戲規則
遊戲規則真的改變了嗎？誠實評估起來，恐怕沒有。就算太陽花運動讓先前台灣政治的連續體產生斷裂，如今看來，幾乎隨著太陽花運動一結束，人們就回歸日常活動了。儘管太陽花運動讓大量的新團體得以產生，新面孔與新領袖也得以在台灣社運政治的光譜上亮相，他們是否僅僅增加了參與台灣既有公民社會的組織數量，卻不曾根本改變公民社會與選舉政治的關係則仍然令人疑惑。但未來如何還有得瞧。假如台灣的選舉真的只是一場膚淺而腐敗的遊戲，或許這遊戲總有結束的一天。但當下的鬥爭仍然不可輕忽。
Storming the Legislature a Second Time?
On December 9th, Chen Wei-Ting of Sunflower Movement fame announced his plans to run for legislator of his native Miaoli. A recent poll conducted by TVBS week suggests that Chen would be victorious in elections. But what are we to make of that Sunflower Movement activists are now running for electoral positions? What would Sunflower Movement activists accomplish through running as political candidates and by way of participation in electoral campaigns?
柯文哲到底是怎麼涉入中國器官買賣的？
柯文哲醫師打了一場乾淨而光彩的選戰，在11月29日投票當天順利擊敗連勝文，成為16年來第一位非國民黨籍的台北市長。儘管如此，他在這場選戰中還有一個重大議題必須回應，才能給自己的新政一個好的開始。那就是，倘若真有其事，他在協助台灣病人取得從中國法輪功囚犯身上摘取的器官進行移植手術之中，究竟扮演了什麼角色？
How Involved was Ko in the Chinese Organ Trade?
Dr. Ko Wen-je ran a generally clean and honourable campaign that resulted in his defeating Sean Lien in the November 29 election to be the first non-KMT mayor of Taipei in 16 years. Nonetheless, there was one major issue that arose during his campaign that he needs to address in order to start off his administration on the right foot. Namely, what role did he play, if any, in helping Taiwanese patients obtain organ transplants harvested from Chinese Falun Gong prisoners?
Sunflower Seeds in Bloom?
It would seem the tides of Taiwanese electoral politics are turning, or are they? The past victory of opposition forces over the KMT in the nine-in-one elections held last Saturday came as a surprise, with independent candidate Ko Wen-Je triumphing over KMT candidate Sean Lien in vying for the position of Taipei mayor. But if past elections have been a victory, what remains is to demand more from all quarters. It is not merely enough to be satisfied with current set of circumstances. Only then will the demands of the Sunflower Movement stand any chance of realization.
Seizing the Election Momentum to Place Human Rights at the Top of the Agenda in Taiwan
On Saturday, Taiwan held its first nine-in-one elections in which nine different types of positions were up for election throughout the country. While the election results show that the KMT is losing influence on local politics, this is only the opening act to the much more important election in 2016 for the presidency and the national legislature. Regardless of who runs in the elections in the end, the opposition must seize this momentum to place human rights at the top of the agenda in Taiwan again.
When We Talk About Beyond “Blue” and “Green”, Is this Moving Forward or Marching in Place?
Moving beyond blue and green can be a positive political transformation: living on the same piece of land with a group of people should be the peaceful and rational discussion of political ideas on the basis of common vision. On the other hand, the claim to move beyond blue and green can be a confused battle of hypocrisy, sidelining important political questions, in the belief that this is reconciliation between blue and green in a communal manner. But will the voters of the general public be so conscious?
當我們談起超越藍綠，是一種進步，還是原地踏步？
柯文哲的競選主軸「超越藍綠」在這次台北市長選舉中獲得極大的迴響，延續了近年幾次藍綠以外的公民運動所獲得的空前成功，例如凱道送仲丘、太陽花運動。但是「超越藍綠」是否真的成功擺脫政黨惡鬥、開創出一種新的政治認同？亦或者只是自我設限，不去面對台灣各個不同群體的基本矛盾呢？這篇文章提供深入淺出的分析，讓我們深思「超越藍綠」背後的意義。
Have the Rules of the Game Changed?
With less than a month left until Taiwan’s “nine-in-one” elections, the stakes of the political game are high. With candidates competing for offices at all levels of government, all the way from mayoral positions in Taiwan’s special municipalities down to village and borough warden positions, and an unprecedented 11,130 candidates competing for nine categories of office, the “nine-in-one” elections come as quite possibly the most significant event for Taiwanese electoral politics outside of presidential elections. Yet have the rules of the game changed after the Sunflower Movement?
台灣的階級流動與身分群體
社會流動的可能性在已開發國家中一直是備受爭論的主題。美國一度被譽為實現「美國夢」的國度，人們只要工作夠勤奮就能往上爬，因為那兒有著大量的發展機會。然而，「美國夢」早已證實了是一場泡影，對於拉丁美洲裔移民或許多非裔美國人來說更是刻骨銘心。種族不平等及相應的階級分層揭示了殘酷的事實：來到美國日以繼夜工作的人，不一定能夠達到理想的生活，反倒是常常在許多方面都被刻板印象定型，甚至遭受歧視，無論他們多有才華。階級分化與分層並非美國獨有的現象。當我們回看今天的台灣，階級流動的停滯可說是青年世代所面臨最急迫的問題。
Class Mobility and Status Groups in Taiwan
The possibility of social mobility has been a well-argued topic in advanced countries. The U.S. was once considered the place of the “American dream”, in which people could move upward as long as he/she worked hard enough because America was a place with plenty of opportunities. But class differentiation and stratification are not a unique phenomenon to the U.S. If we look at today’s Taiwan, stagnated mobility can be considered the most pressing issue for the younger generations.
選舉掃描
距離 2014 年底大選約莫還有三個月的時間，但自今年初起，選舉新聞已經大舉佔領各類媒體。雖然年底舉辦的大選包含六都直轄市市長、其他縣市長及議員等，但媒體矚目且曝光度最高的仍是台北市與新北市首長的爭奪戰。新北市的候選人仍是依循傳統藍綠分庭抗禮，就選戰本質來說並無太大新意，而台北市長選情及候選人相較之下則讓人想要看看「究竟這些人要怎麼玩下去」。
帝國主義暴力
隨著迦薩戰火持續延燒，我們這些在台灣關心世局的人，也開始用心發掘時事與現狀的連結，以及從中可能獲得的教益。因為兩地的處境儘管不盡相同，卻具備同一個確切無疑的脈絡：台灣人和巴勒斯坦人都缺少一個在國際上受到承認的國家。
Imperialist Violence
With conflict raging in Gaza, many of us concerned with Taiwan have grasped around the back of our minds for a connection and possible lesson. For while the situation on the ground share little resemblance, both contexts share one indisputable quality: both the Taiwanese and Palestinians lack an internationally recognized state.
Japan, the Jadeite Cabbage and the KMT’s Regime of Truth
Last week, a rare row arose between Taiwan and Japan over the Jadeite Cabbage. The artifact, originally crafted for one of the Qing emperor Guangxu’s notable concubines, is a prized possession and tourist favorite at the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院) in Taipei.
Taiwan Minus the KMT?
Following the Sunflower Movement, there have been voices have now begun to speak of eliminating the KMT. And it must be wondered what exactly a Taiwanese political spectrum devoid of the KMT would look like. After all, having existed for the entire duration of what we can speak of as “Taiwanese politics,” it is hard to imagine what Taiwanese politics, period, would look like minus the KMT.
Gendered Politicians
When it comes to politicians, what is the first image that comes to mind? I would presume it is a man with an assertive attitude, high self-esteem and confidence, and who might occasionally talk aggressively. However, recently more and more women are participating in politics. What if I were to ask you to imagine a female politician? I bet the characteristics associated with this image of a female politician will be similar to the first image of the male politician.
媒體下的政治人物伴侶形象
對於政治人物的另一半，我們常抱持著一些既定的印象。藉由此次臺北市長選舉兩位主要候選人的另一半，讓我們有機會思考到底這樣的印象源自何處，以及如何影響我們對於女性在公/私領域中應該扮演何種角色的想像。一位候選人的伴侶從小養尊處優，留美回台之後短暫有過正式職業旋即嫁為人妻，成了一個專職太太/媽媽；另一位候選人的伴侶則如同大多數生長在台灣的女性，婚後依舊保有職業婦女的角色，在工作與家庭兩個領域間來回奔波數十年。在此我無意看低專職太太/媽媽這個角色，也不是想要誇大職業婦女的辛勞與面臨的衝突，但這兩個女人讓我們看到公領域仍存在強烈的性別偏見及刻板印象。
Power and Discourse
Over the last thirty years, there’s been a slowly manifesting trend in regard to Taiwan’s international position, a series of processes that amount collectively to a single linear motion, and which offers no small indication of the future of Taiwanese democracy. I speak, of course, of Taiwan’s growing isolation in the international arena.