Op-Ed: What If Politics Becomes Nothing but Calculation?

Recently, following political news—from Chang Ching-sen's announcement to leave his party, Chiang Wan-an's shift in political approach, to food safety issues gradually evolving into political confrontations, and the large-scale gathering scheduled for early August—has been dizzying, prompting reflection: What ideal should democratic politics truly pursue?

In recent years, political figures such as Lai Cheng-liang, Huang Kuo-chang, Cheng Li-wen, and Ko Wen-je have shown noticeable shifts in their political stances and alliance partners. Democratic politics allows for changes in position and respects party competition. However, what the public truly cares about is whether each change is still grounded in a clear set of values and public interest, rather than being constantly adjusted according to political circumstances and electoral needs.

This Ketagawa event was originally meant to focus on public issues, but eventually shifted attention toward demanding the resignation of the president and the premier. Even the hunger strike, initially symbolic, became politicized as multiple political figures successively joined, and a party chairperson personally arrived at the site—sparking public suspicion of political manipulation. As a result, societal discourse gradually drifted away from the original诉求. What people saw was not ideals, but political maneuvering; not policy arguments, but electoral calculations. This development not only undermines the original legitimacy of the event but also makes it difficult to gain the support of moderate voters.

In contrast, predecessors like Sun Yun-suan and Lee Kuo-ting left Taiwan with national infrastructure, industrial development, and institutional reforms—not political bickering. They may not have been the best campaigners, but they remain the political role models remembered longest by the people.

Democratic politics needs competition, but even more, it needs ideals; it needs strategy, but above all, principles. When politics becomes nothing but calculations for power and elections, people lose not only trust in political figures but also their expectations for the inherent values of democracy. Only by returning politics to public interest and long-term development can democracy truly earn the people’s respect.

*The author is a retired professional from the financial trust industry.