What You Say About My Momma? Politics in Taiwan

Because the presidential election for Taiwan is on March 22nd, I found out some interesting things about the politics in Taiwan. The Taiwanese are political fanatics - the soccer hooligans of politics, or maybe worse. Americans are typically criticized for not caring much about politics, as evidenced in our low voter turnout. How are we different from Taiwan?

I follow elections and politics, but I usually take the election process for granted because, well, my one vote has a marginal impact on an election involving more than 100 voters. I also know that, regardless of how I feel, or who I desire to win, the next president of the United States won't destroy our country. Even if an idiot was elected - or George W. Bush - there will be enough people around him or her to help make the proper decisions. Any party elected will have economic and political advisers to steer the country in the same general direction. And if they try to pull something like Hugo Chavez has done and kick out of the foreign companies, then I'm pretty sure a presidential impeachment would occur.

Now let's take a look at Taiwan. Well, the problem stems from how you even define "Taiwan" as a political state. Is it a subsidiary of the Republic of China, as China would claim, or is it a separate country entirely that would secede from China if there weren't missiles already pointed at the small island. Therefore, there are two parties that exist:

The Kuomintang (KMT), who wouldn't mind establishing a relationship with China

And the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who generally believes that Taiwan should be completely independent of China

Why does this matter? Because the more friendly Taiwan becomes with China, the more foreign investment that will occur (good for economics), but the less likely that Taiwan will remain independent. The fear here is that China will use Taiwan's resources until the country is in shambles (bad for Taiwan). When people think of the KMT, they think of this option. If Taiwan embargoes all business relations with China, then Taiwan is independent, but the economy suffers a great deal. This is the DPP's platform.

(yes, the positions of these parties are very oversimplified, but there's no need going into detail about politics in a travel blog)

And no one likes each other. I mean, that's the impression you get when you read about an all out, bench-clearing brawl between legislators of both parties.

And they're willing to die if their party isn't elected.

So, to develop a culture that takes politics very seriously, take a country with a growing economy and place it next to an oppressive superpower. Thanks, but I think I'll remain complacent with American politics.