New Tide faction
Encyclopedia
The New Tide faction was one of the factions of the Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) in Taiwan before the party voted to dissolve all factions in 2006. The faction initially advocated social democracy
, attempting to work with other labor and social movements to influence public policy. The faction also advocated the use of group action
to resist the influence of elected officials in the Tangwai
and DPP (many early New Tide members entered politics via Tangwai publications and social movements rather than electoral politics, as a result, most were not elected officials). The faction initially appeared in the form of "domestic Taiwan independence
activists" (in contrast to Taiwan independence activists operating from abroad), and pushed the DPP to include Taiwan independence in the party charter, to boost their position against the more moderate factions, as well as against World United Formosans for Independence
members returning from exile.
, Wu Nai-jen, Hung Chi-chang, Lin Cho-shui, Liu Shou-ch'eng
. Members who would later leave the party included 魏廷昱 and Sisy Chen
. The early positions of the faction included Taiwan independence
, group action
, and social democracy
. In later years the faction moderated its position and placed a greater emphasis on pragmatism. With a clear political manifesto and strong factional discipline, the New Tide became one of the most powerful factions in the DPP.
(KMT).
As the New Tide lacked well known political names at the national level, the faction utilized it's strong organization to alternatively threaten or cajole DPP members aspiring to higher office into alliances or cooperation. Regardless of whether or not they were at odds with the New Tide when running for chairmanship, successive DPP chairmen often appointed large numbers of New Tide members to the positions of party secretary-general or party manager, resulting in a mutually beneficial relationship with the New Tide. The New Tide's long term cooperation with Chen Shui-bian
proved to be a particularly worthwhile investment. After Chen's election to the presidency in 2000 and the transformation of the DPP into the ruling party, New Tide members were appointed to even more important positions. This allowed faction members in the party apparatus to cultivate even more new talent. However, to ensure its own survival, influence, and future growth, the New Tide was often quick to distance itself from any misstep by President Chen or the DPP as a whole, sometimes going as far as publicly issuing critical statements to distance themselves as damage control. As a result, this quickly drew the ire of other DPP factions, who saw New Tide members as being opportunists interested only in furthering their own power by grabbing the most resources and party positions, while being unwilling to share the fortunes of the party as a whole.
In the party primaries running up to the 2008 ROC Presidential Elections, the New Tide threw its support behind Su Tseng-chang
, with whom New Tide faction elder Lu Hsiu-yi
had a strong working relationship.
In December 2005, former New Tide member Wong Chin-chu
announced her intention to run for DPP chairman
, after encouragement from Lin Yi-hsiung
. Then New Tide faction convener Tuan Yi-kang resigned his position for "dereliction of duty", as Wong had not first informed the New Tide of her intentions. His position was succeeded by Hung Chi-chang, followed by William Lai.
proposed a motion before the DPP's 12th National Party Congress to "disband all factions". The motion passed with a majority of the vote. Aside from forbidding the establishment of offices, recruitment, and fundraising in the name of a faction, the motion also forbade party members from joining a faction. The New Tide announced that it would accept and comply with the new directives, and disbanded itself, and its associated groups the same day. Future media reports would refer to them as "ex-New Tide faction".
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
(DPP) in Taiwan before the party voted to dissolve all factions in 2006. The faction initially advocated social democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
, attempting to work with other labor and social movements to influence public policy. The faction also advocated the use of group action
Group action (sociology)
In sociology, a group action is a situation in which a large number of agents take action simultaneously in order to achieve a common goal; their actions are usually coordinated....
to resist the influence of elected officials in the Tangwai
Tangwai
The Tangwai movement was a political movement in the Republic of China in the mid-1970s and early 1980s. Although the Kuomintang had allowed contested elections for a small number of seats in Legislative Yuan, opposition parties were still forbidden...
and DPP (many early New Tide members entered politics via Tangwai publications and social movements rather than electoral politics, as a result, most were not elected officials). The faction initially appeared in the form of "domestic Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence is a political movement whose goals are primarily to formally establish the Republic of Taiwan by renaming or replacing the Republic of China , form a Taiwanese national identity, reject unification and One country, two systems with the People's Republic of China and a Chinese...
activists" (in contrast to Taiwan independence activists operating from abroad), and pushed the DPP to include Taiwan independence in the party charter, to boost their position against the more moderate factions, as well as against World United Formosans for Independence
World United Formosans for Independence
The World United Formosans for Independence , also known as WUFI, is an organization promoting Taiwan independence. It was established in 1970 by like-minded organizations in Canada, the U.S., Japan, Europe, and Taiwan...
members returning from exile.
Establishment
The New Tide faction was initially composed of editorial members of the "New Tide" magazine established in 1984. Important members of the time included Chiou I-jenChiou I-jen
Chiou I-jen , born May 9, 1950, was a Vice Premier of the Republic of China between May 17, 2007 to May 6, 2008.-Early career:Chiou was born in 1950 in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan. He earned a BA in philosophy from National Taiwan University in 1972, and subsequently attended the...
, Wu Nai-jen, Hung Chi-chang, Lin Cho-shui, Liu Shou-ch'eng
Liu Shou-ch'eng
Liu Shou-ch'eng is magistrate and elected head of Yilan County in Taiwan. Liu is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party, and was first elected to his current post in 1997. He was re-elected in 2001 and is up for election in 2005...
. Members who would later leave the party included 魏廷昱 and Sisy Chen
Sisy Chen
Sisy Wen-hsien Chen is a Taiwanese politician and television commentator. She hosts Sisy's World News, a daily talk show at the KMT-owned China Television Corporation and UFO Dinner a daily radio talk show at the UFO Radio Station. She was an independent member of the Legislative Yuan from...
. The early positions of the faction included Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence is a political movement whose goals are primarily to formally establish the Republic of Taiwan by renaming or replacing the Republic of China , form a Taiwanese national identity, reject unification and One country, two systems with the People's Republic of China and a Chinese...
, group action
Group action (sociology)
In sociology, a group action is a situation in which a large number of agents take action simultaneously in order to achieve a common goal; their actions are usually coordinated....
, and social democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
. In later years the faction moderated its position and placed a greater emphasis on pragmatism. With a clear political manifesto and strong factional discipline, the New Tide became one of the most powerful factions in the DPP.
Growth
The New Tide was known for being the DPP faction most adept at developing new talent. New DPP party members from other factions interested in entering the political arena would often start their careers as aides attached to an established political figure. However, novices in such positions often lacked the opportunity for training and promotion. In contrast, aides to New Tide affiliated legislators often enjoyed more opportunities provided by the faction, including funding for study abroad, as well as assistance in moving up the organizational hierarchy. The New Tide's early platform of social democracy also gave it an edge over other DPP factions which had no formal platform other than being anti-KuomintangKuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
(KMT).
As the New Tide lacked well known political names at the national level, the faction utilized it's strong organization to alternatively threaten or cajole DPP members aspiring to higher office into alliances or cooperation. Regardless of whether or not they were at odds with the New Tide when running for chairmanship, successive DPP chairmen often appointed large numbers of New Tide members to the positions of party secretary-general or party manager, resulting in a mutually beneficial relationship with the New Tide. The New Tide's long term cooperation with Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian is a former Taiwanese politician who was the 10th and 11th-term President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally been supportive of Taiwan independence, ended more than fifty years of Kuomintang rule in Taiwan...
proved to be a particularly worthwhile investment. After Chen's election to the presidency in 2000 and the transformation of the DPP into the ruling party, New Tide members were appointed to even more important positions. This allowed faction members in the party apparatus to cultivate even more new talent. However, to ensure its own survival, influence, and future growth, the New Tide was often quick to distance itself from any misstep by President Chen or the DPP as a whole, sometimes going as far as publicly issuing critical statements to distance themselves as damage control. As a result, this quickly drew the ire of other DPP factions, who saw New Tide members as being opportunists interested only in furthering their own power by grabbing the most resources and party positions, while being unwilling to share the fortunes of the party as a whole.
In the party primaries running up to the 2008 ROC Presidential Elections, the New Tide threw its support behind Su Tseng-chang
Su Tseng-chang
Su Tseng-chang is a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party. He is the former Premier of the Republic of China. Su actively campaigned for the Presidential nomination of the DPP, but finished second to Frank Hsieh in the nomination process...
, with whom New Tide faction elder Lu Hsiu-yi
Lu Hsiu-yi
- Early years :When Lu was six, his father died. As a result, the income of his family depended on his mother. Lu was the only child, and when he went to high school he worked after school. He graduated from the Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School and attended the National Chengchi University...
had a strong working relationship.
In December 2005, former New Tide member Wong Chin-chu
Wong Chin-chu
Wong Chin-chu , a Taiwanese politician, is a member of the Legislative Yuan. She served as the magistrate of Changhua County from 2001 to 2005. With former chairperson Lin Yi-hsiung's support, Wong ran for the chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party in the 2006 election...
announced her intention to run for DPP chairman
Democratic Progressive Party chairmanship election, 2006
The Democratic Progressive Party chairmanship by-election of 2006 was held on January 15, 2006 in Taiwan. It was the tenth chairmanship election conducted by the party...
, after encouragement from Lin Yi-hsiung
Lin Yi-hsiung
Lin Yi-hsiung who sued the ruling KMT party for electoral fraud. Lin was elected a member of Taiwan Provincial Assembly in Guo's old electorate in 1977.-Lin Family Massacre:...
. Then New Tide faction convener Tuan Yi-kang resigned his position for "dereliction of duty", as Wong had not first informed the New Tide of her intentions. His position was succeeded by Hung Chi-chang, followed by William Lai.
Dissolution
On July 23, 2006, Legislator Wang Sing-nanWang Sing-nan
Wang Sing-nan is the caucus whip for the Democratic Progressive Party in the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China on Taiwan. He has represented the electoral district of Tainan City since February 2005. On 10 October 1976, he sent a mail bomb to then-Governor of Taiwan Province Hsieh...
proposed a motion before the DPP's 12th National Party Congress to "disband all factions". The motion passed with a majority of the vote. Aside from forbidding the establishment of offices, recruitment, and fundraising in the name of a faction, the motion also forbade party members from joining a faction. The New Tide announced that it would accept and comply with the new directives, and disbanded itself, and its associated groups the same day. Future media reports would refer to them as "ex-New Tide faction".