The rise of strongman syndrome in politics
James J. Y. Hsu (許正餘)

The recent arrest of a prominent politician who led a third party to run for the presidency in Taiwan is a wake-up call for political elites and the general public alike. Re-examining the political landscape and the national conscience is necessary to figure out why society is not providing the opportunity to make a great statesman, but instead a corrupt strongman.

It is unfortunate the strongman syndrome appears to be an ascending trend in the world, and this case is no aberration.

There could be several areas of concern: the leader himself and his subordinates, the oligarchs, the devoted followers and the judiciary.

For a highly intelligent person — a professor and a medical doctor — politics is not supposed to be his cup of tea, let alone the wheeling and dealing. However, an unjust power easily indulges a person in lust, pride and greed. That is why it is never enough, and would only lead to a tragic end. Unconstrained power is like a black hole, which accumulates even more power until nothing survives around it.

The first thing to consider when looking at a politician is his core values.

A responsible person would retire, resign or retreat when the duty is overwhelming, as clearly demonstrated by the graceful exit of the US President Joe Biden, who has revived the chances for Democrats to win the White House. He is a patriot in contrast to those who do otherwise.

Not knowing or not being involved with what subordinates were doing is the worst excuse that could be made by a leader, who should have proclaimed “the buck stops here,” as former US president Harry Truman did.

Not being in attendance is not proof of innocence. As Mahatma Gandhi said: “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed.” Worse, just a few power-hungry leaders can turn a country or even the world upside down, as power can be intoxicating, especially when it is unconstrained.

While some subordinates in this case appeared to have stood firm in resisting demands to move illegal proceedings forward, the others enabled them through submission or for monetary and political gain.

The gold mine created by corrupt leaders and oligarchs at the expense of public interest is a “ring of power” that drives people crazy. For a strong man or woman, money is a stepping stone to more power, but for a businessperson, power is a stepping stone to more money.

In Taiwan, the punishment for offering a bribe is less severe than taking it, but few people can resist temptation. A three strikes law should be considered, with severe punishment for those who offer multiple bribes.

It is totally understandable that enthusiastic followers want their leader to win elections. Social media further amplifies the influence of a populist with a substantial following given the euphoria in cyberspace and beyond.

It is however important for the public to examine candidates carefully by “not only listening to their words, but also watching their deeds.”

The popularity of this third party appears to have plummeted. That shows that freedom of press is at work and remains strong in Taiwan, and the general public is capable of handling the truth, as it is not too late to “repair the shed after the goat has escaped.”

Prosecuting a prominent politician is one of the toughest tasks in Taiwan or elsewhere. The burden of proof falls on the shoulders of the judiciary.

It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes an entire nation to shape up a politician.

James J. Y. Hsu is a retired professor of theoretical physics.
This article was originally published in Taipei Times Editorial: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2024/10/05/2003824799