Jerome Keating, a fellow son-in-law of Taiwan who actually lives immersed Taiwan politics (in Taipei) rather than just writing about it, explains in this essay the cultural and historical background of realpolitik in Taiwan.
In case you are not familiar here are a couple of terms that will help you better understand Dr. Keating's essay:
(1) Wild Lily is the name of a student movement in 1990 led by students seeking democratic reforms on the island.
(2) Red envelopes containing cash are given out on special occasions such as weddings and on Lunar New Year. Red envelope is also an euphemism for a bribe.
Taiwan's Political Gravy Train in Search of a Wild Lily
Thursday September 04, by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.
While hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to show their displeasure with the ineffectual performance and potential betrayal of the country's sovereignty by Ma Ying-jeou in his first 100 days, other media headlines have been discussing the so-called "money laundering" scandal of the former president, Chen Shui-bian. Chen had wired (via his wife) some twenty million US dollars to bank accounts overseas. While it is being investigated as to whether it is actually laundering, some felt betrayed; some felt justified, and many others were shocked. Regardless of that, what this does is expose how Taiwan politics is and has been one big, long, and continuous gravy train.
Surprised? Shocked? You shouldn't be. It should be a wake-up call to examine the real problem that plagues Taiwan. It is a problem that predates Chen Shui-bian, an age old Taiwan problem that is three-fold, human, cultural, and historical.
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