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Return to the Attainable

"Politics," as German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck articulated more than a century ago, "is the art of the possible." In Taiwan, it somehow seems to have become the distraction of the impossible.

For Bismarck, and for many others of various nationalities who have proved deserving of the appellation of "statesman," the political process begins by focusing on setting practical, attainable goals in the public interest. It then proceeds to build support for those positions, not only within one's own party but in coalition with other political forces and in society at large. A willingness to communicate and compromise is essential.

 

But instead of pragmatically seizing on the achievable, political leaders in Taiwan across the color spectrum have too frequently been wasting their time - and taxpayer money - chasing ideologically inspired objectives that are unfeasible and often irrelevant. On one side of the political divide, inordinate effort has been invested in trying to remove the president from office, oblivious to the steep constitutional thresholds for recall or impeachment that have inevitably thwarted that campaign. On the other side, the top leadership has broached a succession of formulas for national redefinition that inflame opponents as much as or even more than they satisfy supporters - and serve only to prolong a sense of indirection. Both sides appear too rigid to engage in communication or compromise.

What makes these futile quests so disturbing is that they distract government, media, and general public attention from the important, pragmatic issues that will determine the country's future well-being. How to create a genuinely nurturing business environment in which both domestic and foreign companies can prosper, thereby increasing both job opportunities and tax revenue to support social services? In particular, regardless of how the cross-Strait political relationship evolves, how to ensure that Taiwan stays germane to global and regional economic activity by taking full advantage of the opportunities unfolding in the China market?

At the same time, how to properly assure national defense capability? How to revamp the national healthcare system to ensure both its solvency and its ability to offer patients the finest of care, especially considering the challenges arising from a rapidly aging population? How to bring Taiwan's quality of infrastructure up to world standards?

On these and many similar issues, AmCham regularly makes its recommendations, not only in the annual Taiwan White Paper but also in this magazine and on other occasions. We have frequently held fruitful discussions on such subjects with individual government officials. But frustratingly, these topics are all too often obscured from the overall public agenda by the latest political squabble or pronouncement-of-the-day. Meaningful debate on real problems and possible solutions is absent.

Over its 55 years of operation, AmCham has consistently sought to contribute to Taiwan's economic growth, social stability, and democratic development, and we and our member companies continue to believe in Taiwan's solid potential. Reaching that potential, however, will require the adoption of broader vision by both the politicians and the media - and renewed concentration on the possible.
 
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