Sunflower MovementAn Analytic Review2014 Global Citizen Summer Institute, University of Hong Kong

Dr. Albert Tzeng, International Institute for Asian Studies, Leidenp.w.tzeng@gmail.com

Flashback 3.18 Occupation of Parliament (Legislative Yuan)

300-400 Students and activists protest against the controversial “completion” of committee review of CSSTA.

Occupation around 21-22 Hr. News spread out via mobile devices and internet

3,000 supporters or spectators emerged around midnight, effectively preventing the police from cleaning the site.

A crowd of 25,000 people formed around the site the second day.

Flashback 3.23-24 Bleeding Confrontation at Executive Yuan

Some radical activists occupied Gov. HQ to escalate the level of confron-tation, as a response to Ma’s strong stance on 322 press conference

Thousands of unarmed people sit-in around the building

Premier Jiang ordered police to clear the site before dawn, resulting in controversial use of violence (beating and water cannon)

Diverted social perception

Flashback 3.30 Mass Rally in front of Presidential Office

Peaceful and non-violent 500,000 people claimed by

organizer

Flashback 4.10End of Occupation

4.06 Parliament Chair, Wang JP, visited and promise that he “will not chair further inter-part negotiation on CSSTA,” effectively suspending it

Leaders of occupation announced that they reached its current objective and they will “walking out to seed”

Some objection from other participants who wanted to continue

Significance

An immediately historical incident- the first parliament occupation in the national history; a rare case in contemporary world history, too. The movement also demonstrated sophisticated integration of multiple approaches of social activism.

Reflect multiple forms of tensions that characterize contemporary Taiwan: national identity, approach economic developments, shifting paradigm of democracy, inter-generational conflict of interest.

Drastically redefine the imaginations about relationship between the People and the State; between Taiwan and China; between the island and world economy.

Purposes and Constraints

In this presentation I aim to

1. Explain the emergence of this incident in context2. Map the temporal, social and spatial structure of

the movement 3. Demonstrate complexity of activities4. Discuss four major discursive axes5. Review the strategic integration of different

movement approach6. Evaluate its impacts and legacies

I shall avoid• Delivering a false impression that I know it all• Taking side between the government or the activists• Making excessive theorization from the incident

1. Context

1.1 Cross-Strait Trade in Ma’s Economic Blueprint1.2 Civil Concerns and Resistance 1.3 Constraints in Legal Framework 1.4 The Parliamentary Review of CSSTA

1.1 Context Cross-Strait Trade in Ma’s Economic Blueprint

Ma’s neoliberal vision : To revive Taiwan’s economy through promoting integration within the global network of trade.

Cross-strait trade packs seen as major strategic cornerstone in the map for three reasons:

1. China is the largest trade partner due to geographical proximity 2. China’s attitude often seen as obstacle for signing FTA with other

countries > Trade packs with China expected to ease such concerns.3. Economic integration with Chinese market expected to provide

economic incentives to lure other parties to sign FTA with Taiwan. Policy agenda: Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA, signed on

29 June, 2010) and the subsidiary agreements for service trade (signed June, 2013), commodities trade, and investment protection (both under negotiation)

Reliance on technocrats/experts and limited public access in the process of negotiation – defended as “common, realistic practice of international trade negotiation” (e.g. FTA with Singapore and New Zealand)

2010.6.29 ECFA signed2010.6.30 Cross-Strait Agreement Watch, CSAWA ( 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 ) founded by 20+ groups concerned about the “possible negative impacts” of cross-strait trade packs and the “lack of transparency/ public participation” in the process of negotiation

2013.6.21 CSSTA, Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement signed2013.6.24 CSAWA and other concerned groups demanded, among others, “public hearing for each industry affected” and “clause-by-clause deliberation and voting in the Parliament” 2013.6.25 “Inter-Party Consultation” ( 兩兩兩兩兩兩 ) agreed2013.7.28 Democratic Front against CSSTA ( 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 ) founded by CSAWA and other groups

1.2 Context Civil Concerns and Resistance

Article 32, Law Governing the Functioning of Legislative Yuan 兩 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩The Executive Yuan may sent a treaty with another country to Legislative Yuan for reconsideration. But constitutionally “mainland area”(a.k.a PRC) is not defined as “another country”.

Article 5, Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩Cross-strait agreements will be sent to Legislative Yuan for 30-days reconsideration only when it “requires legal amendment or new legislation”. It only need to be sent to LY “for record” in other circumstances (which include CSSTA).

The current legal framework: the parliament has no power to review or to approve a cross-strait agreement unless it requires legal amendment or new legislation

> an institutional design associated with the authoritarian past?> fall short to meet the public expectation on democratic monitoring.

1.3 Context Constraints in Legal Framework

1.4 ContextThe Parliamentary Review of CSSTA

The Parliament accepted CSSTA for review by appropriating the legislative procedure designed for “examining the legal compatibility of administrative orders” (Article 60, Law Governing the Functioning of Legislative Yuan)

This process must be completed within three month; any review exceeding the time limit will be seen as “complete”. (Article 61)

None of both major parties showed commitment in substantial review

17 March: MP Chang CC ( 兩兩兩 ), rotating chair of Committee of Domestic Affair, announced “the review shall be seen complete as it exceeded three month” despite the absence of any substantial review.

2. The Movement

2.1 Outbreak and Demand2.2 Sunflower: The Symbol and Its Making2.3 Chronological Phases of Movement2.4 Groups Involved: A Typology2.5 Spatial Layout of Activities

2.1 Outbreak and Demand

Widespread discontent with the abrupt passing of CSSTA

Outbreak Protest > Occupy Movement Supporters mobilized via internet besiege the site around

midnight Four police attempts to clear the site failed “Accidental success” of occupation

The Four Demands: Return CSSTA (to where?) 兩兩兩兩！ Law of Monitoring Cross-Strait Agreement 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 Legalization First! Then Review [of CSSTA]! 兩兩兩 兩兩兩兩、！ Citizen’s Constitutional Conference 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩

> Demands targeted at the procedural design, not the CSSTA per se

2.2 SunflowerThe Symbol and Its Making

A bunch of sunflower mindlessly placed on table captured by journalists

Media associate Sunflower with the Movement (bring light to black box)

More sunflower purchased to be distributed on scene Icon in artistic or sarcastic creations

Meaning of the movement co-constructed by multiple parties involved

2.3 Chronological Phases of Movement

318 Occupy Parliament

Contrasted Mediated Impressions:‘Heroic Endeavor’ on internet vs. ‘violent, irrational riot’ on TV

Wk. 1 PRNV (Peaceful, Rational and Non-Violent) Culture and its Critiques323 First Press Conference by President Ma

324 Conflict at

Executive Yuan

Polarized perception: Fear of escalated activism vs. anger toward police violence

Wk. 2 Demographic diversification of Supporting Crowd, Public Dialogues329 Second Press Conference by President Ma

330 Mass Rally

Protest

A ‘PRNV,’ spectacular, carnival-like event without a clear sense of direction. Collective healing?

Wk. 3 Momentum decline and sense of disorientation406 Visit

of Wang JPThe visit Wang JP, who promised not to chair any “inter-party consultation” on CSSTA before the pass of the monitory law

Wk. 4 Retreat , and controversy on decision-making 410 End “Walk out to seed!”

2.4 Groups Involved: A TypologyPrimary Concern

CORE groups within the decision-making circle

PERIPHERAL groups present but excluded from the decision-making

IndependenceTW Nationalism

Taiwan Asso. for Univ. Professors ( 兩兩兩 )

Alliance for Referendum ( 兩兩兩 )Wing of Radical Politics ( 兩兩兩兩 )

Left-Wing Taiwan Rural Front ( 兩兩 )Taiwan Labour Front ( 兩兩 )

Alliance for Workers of Closed Factories ( 兩兩兩 ) Taiwan International Worker Association ( 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 )

Environmental

Green Citizens’ Action Alliance ( 兩兩 )Earth Citizen Foundation ( 兩兩兩兩 )

Human Rights

Awakening Foundation ( 兩 兩兩女 )Taiwan Alliance for Advancement of Youth Right and Welfare ( 兩兩兩 )Taiwan Asso. for Human Right ( 兩兩兩 )

Taiwan Alliance for the Victims of Urban Renewal ( 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 )

Democratic Reform

Taiwan Democracy Watch ( 兩兩兩兩兩兩 )Citizen Congress Watch ( 兩兩兩 )Citizen 1985+

Streetcorner Little Discussion* 兩兩兩兩兩Streetcorner Little Democratic Exp.*兩兩兩兩兩兩兩

Student/ Youth Activist Group

Black Island Youth( 兩兩兩 ), Citizen 1985+(Miaoli Youth Front)

Variety of student societies

2.5 Spatial Layout of Activities

3. Exploring Activities

3.1 Headquarter in Parliament Hall3.2 ‘Democracy Classroom’ and ‘NGO Stage’3.3 The Corner of Taiwanese Nationalism3.4 Left-Wing ‘Liberation Forum/Area’3.5 Streetcorner Discussions3.6 A Vulgar Outlet of Emotion

3.1 Activities:Headquarter in Parliament Hall

The core stronghold with semi-insulation from the outer sphere

Center for decision making and announcement

Symbolize “Power reclamation by people”

Media center with a multi-lingual team

Life-supporting functional teams: resource, recycling, medical service

3.2 Activities:‘Democracy Classroom’ and ‘NGO Stage’

Lectures and talks by scholars and NGO activists

Performance by supportive artists

Various forms of on-street discussion, e.g. citizen deliberative forum of CSSTA

Functional sections: media, resource, med, consulting, tutoring, even phone charging

Street gallery nearby

Sleep

3.3 Activities The Corner of Taiwanese Nationalism

Alliance of Referendum ( 兩兩兩 ), a long-standing group of senior independence activists, maintained a site of protest at LY’s main gate for five years

Wing of Radical Politics ( 兩兩兩兩 ), a new political group aimed at “decolonizing Taiwan from the rule of Republic of China (ROC)”

Impression-anchoring effect for external observers arriving from Taipei main station

3.4 ActivitiesLeft-Wing ‘Liberation Forum/Area’

Liberation Forum/area organized by some (more hardcore) left-wing groups and some electronic music fan in week two

To facilitate critical meta-reflection on how the movement had been organized. Vibrant discussion sometimes last till 03:00 amThemes discussed include: medical pathway; “peaceful, rational and non-violent” (PRNV) style; and “decision making in social movement.”

No stage, emphasizing equal power to speak among all participants.

The organizer took an “anti-free-trade” stance but did not imposed the idea in discussions

3.5 ActivitiesStreetcorner Discussions

“Streetcorner Little Discussion”- inviting any pass-byer for open group discussion on issues related to CSSTA (Fang Yun)

“Streetcorner Little Democracy” - inviting participants to “tell your story.” Participants were also encourage to approach strangers on the protest site to collect their stories for group sharing in a later stage. > gaze at some marginalized participants

兩兩兩 tai-yian-hua, Sunflower兩兩兩 da-chang-hua, Large-intestine flower

A forum organized at the final nights to invite direct voicing-out of any negative feelings about anyone (including the movement leaders) or anything

Beer provided, vulgar language encouraged, call-in allowed, daring act praised (e.g. taking off underwear for auction), and its online live broadcast went viral

Described as “hilariously healing”

3.6 ActivitiesA Vulgar Outlet of Emotion

4 Discursive Axes

4.1 Anti-”China Factor”: Taiwanese Nationalism4.2 Anti-Free Trade: Left-Wing Perspective 4.3 Anti-”Black Box”: Democratic Reform4.4 Inter-Cohort Justice: Youth Political Subject4.5 Points of Departure4.6 Spatiality of Discourses

Fear of Excessive economic reliance on China, which will give

Beijing more leverage in pushing Taiwan toward unification Liberty compromised by penetrating influence of pro-China

capital (Want-Want China Time Media corp. as an alarming example)

Suspected influx of Chinese immigrants, who might not just “steal our job” but also dilute Taiwanese demography

Trans-border dispersion of risks

“Identity” at stake Issue cultivated by Taiwanese nationalists/independence

activists,but concern widely shared

Hong Kong cited as example in demonstrating the possible social impacts/cost of fast integration with China

4.1 Discursive AxisAnti-”China Factor”: Taiwanese Nationalism

Left-wing Critiques on the Neoliberal Doctrine of Free Trade

Social inequality- “who benefit, who suffer?” Environmental impacts Local character of certain industries at risk Human condition (e.g. forced evacuation of urban

inhabitants)

Left-wing in Taiwan historically weak Marxism suppressed from 1950s-1980s Constraints on the development of labor unions Social activism historically associated with

liberalism (instead of socialism or communalism)

4.2 Discursive AxisAnti-Free Trade: Left-Wing Perspectives

Context: Shift in democratic paradigm Traditional representative democracy

elitism- professional politician, reliance on technocrats and expertsdemocracy defined in terms of form of power transfer (election)> Discontents

Demand for more transparency and public participation(e.g. experiments of participatory/ direct forms of democracy)

Taiwan A newly-democratized country: institutional/procedural design

and administrative culture bearing marks of the authoritarian past> Growing demand for democratic reform recently

“Procedural reform” seen as the common ground among all walks of participants. Hence the focus in “four core demands” (Slide 2-1)

4.3 Discursive AxisAnti-”Black Box”: Democratic Reform

“Bomb generation”( 兩兩兩 ) Career upward mobility slow Salary scale staggering Housing price escalating beyond affordability Suspected bankruptcy of government funds

Sense of Frustration > Response Demand for “Inter-Generational Justice” Discontent with “fate determined by the seniors,”

and call for “self-determination” of the Youth generation

Youth as political subject- gaining agency

4.4 Discursive AxisInter-Cohort Justice: Youth Political Subject

4.5 Points of Departure

Taiwanese Nationalist vs. Left-wing activists Historical tension between the fundamentalists in

both camps Oppose CSSTA for substantial reasons Diverted attitude on regional trade scheme (e.g.

Trans-Pacific Partnership, TPP) or FTA with other countries:> TW Nat.: accept as means to balance the reliance on China> Left-Wing: oppose

Democratic Reformist Oppose CSSTA for procedural reason, willing to

accept CSSTA if properly reviewed and debated No substantial stance on FTA or TPP

4.6 Spatiality of Discourses

Location ImpressionCore Focus on democratic reform in four demands

Deliberate distancing from fundamentalist independence group

NGO Representative and individual speakers may include left/ TW nationalist discourses in public talks

Peripheral

strong presence of TW-nationalist groups at north-east corner

Left-wing stance articulated in Liberation Forum Democratic reform discussed in various forums

Social Reception

TW-nationalist sentiment as key in the dispersion of momentum

Left-wing discourse stirred relatively less sympathy

Discontent with Ma administration also important, but the issue of democratic reform too complicate to comprehend

Foreign Media

Frame the story in terms of Taiwan-China relation Less attention paid to the left-right politics and

democratic reform

5. Strategic Integration

5.1 Approaches of Social Activism5.2 Mobilization and PR Mgt: ‘1985-style’5.3.1/3 Coordination Infrastructure5.3.4/7 Public Communication5.4 Discursive Accumulation: Independent Media

5.1 Four Approaches of Social ActivismIntegration in Sunflower Mvt

Four approaches of social activism (distinguished in my earlier manuscript about internet use for social movement): Conventional advocacy groups

‘1985-style’-netizen assembly for a causestarting from “Citizen 1985”, a small group of middle-class professionals who successfully stage a protest of 25,000 for a soldier’s death in 2013. characteristics: extensive use of internet, “PRNV” style, professional, creative

‘The g0v community’- programing for social reforma decentralized network of IT engineers, inspired by hacker philosophy, initiated a bundle of open-source projects for social and political change

Independent media, which emerged in the past decade

Defining agenda, initiating the entire movement and taking actions

Social mobilization and PR

Setting up IT infrastructure, live broadcast; constructing a platform for coordination and multiple sites for public communication

Discursive accumulation and public deliberation on related issues

5.2 Mobilization and PR Mgt.‘1985-style’ in Pictures

Medical Station (Professional)

Medical Paths (Order) QR Code on Screen (Hi-Tech)

Artistic Work (Creative)

Recycling (Responsible) Studying (Good Students)

5.3.1 Coordination Infrastructure:Logistic Management

Online table for logistic demands (item, quantity, location, contact)

5.3.2 Coordination Infrastructure:Volunteer Shift Scheduling

Instruction for volunteers to use shift scheduling system. In this case they were looking for volunteers who can help ‘transcribing event (from video)’. So the title in larger font reads “you can participate the citizen movement from home”.

5.3.3 Coordination Infrastructure:Textual Transcript of the Event

5.3.4 Public Communication:CSSTA Running Headlines

An continuously-updated list of articles published from various websites.

5.3.4 Public Communication:Contested Views on CSSTA

服服服 服西

Website that categorize online commentaries/news in four pairs of contradictory stances:

5.3.4 Public Communication:Democracy Classroom

3/20 兩兩兩 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKbOavrerNQ&feature=youtu.be

兩兩 兩兩兩兩 兩兩 兩兩兩兩 兩兩兩兩兩兩

1 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩？ [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 53:37-1:15:44

http://ppt.cc/vv2e

2 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 1:47:18-2:00:49

http://ppt.cc/Ii8L

3 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 2:11:21-2:21:56

http://ppt.cc/wA82

4 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 2:43:23-2:50:52

http://ppt.cc/kFqy

5 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩？ [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩] 2:56:17-3:16:15

http://ppt.cc/Rvbu

6 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 3:19:30-3:36:20

http://ppt.cc/2gLA

7 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 3:37:45-3:46:14

http://ppt.cc/qnc0

8 兩兩 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩、 [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 3:48:00-4:06:00

http://ppt.cc/TkQS

9 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 4:12:25-4:21:20

http://ppt.cc/Pm9V

10 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩—兩兩兩兩兩] 4:22:43-4:27:10

http://ppt.cc/0CV2

11 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 4:30:00-4:39:36

http://ppt.cc/uzYp

12 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩] 4:47:00-5:14:05

http://ppt.cc/QERB

13 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 5:16:00-5:21:38

http://ppt.cc/J59J

14 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 5:22:00-6:05:00

http://ppt.cc/6Y1y

15 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 6:16:30-6:57:07

http://ppt.cc/H2vP

16 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 7:13:00-7:20:24

http://ppt.cc/ysji

17 兩兩兩兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 7:20:38-7:41:25

http://ppt.cc/cDNd

3/20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSVVKmFLQqY

1 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] all http://ppt.cc/PmRJ

03/21 兩兩兩 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDB7jcS8LX8

1 兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩兩] 1:30:00-1:48:56

http://ppt.cc/SVfq

2 兩兩兩兩兩兩兩 [兩兩兩兩兩-兩兩兩兩兩] 2:10:00-2:23:40

http://ppt.cc/lmPK

Titles include: How Cross-Strait Trade Affect Democracy Impact of CSSTA on Freedom of Speech CSSTA, Right to Resist and Deliberative

Democracy Healthcare and CSSTA The Neoliberal Myth Behind CSSTA CSSTA and Identity Politics Internet and Social Movement CSSTA and Income Distribution Today and Tomorrow? Taiwan and Hong Kong Anti-CSSTA and Indigenous Civil Right

Movement The Political Implication of ECFA and Cross-

Strait IP Agreement Minorities and Majority in Representative

Democracy Why Social Workers Should Oppose CSSTA? Why the State Treat Us as Mob? The Economic Analysis of CSSTA CSSTA Might Undermine Future Technological

Innovation CSSTA, Liberal Economics and Argriculture

5.3.4 Public Communication:Democracy at 4am

5.4 Discursive AccumulationIndependent News-media and Commentaries

6. Impacts and Legacies

6.1 Social Supports: Poll Result6.2 Immediate Political Impacts6.3 Long-Term Legacies

6.1 Social Supports

Protestors Demands won 63%-74% support March 13 Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey73.7 % supported “the need for clause-by-clause deliberation and voting” March 21 Apple Daily74.11% supported “the CSSTA shall be review clause-by-clause again”March 24 TVBS Poll Center63% agreed with the protestor demand “Return CSSTA” March 26 Apple Daily69.8% agree with the demand “Legislation (of monitory law) first”March 27 DPP71.7 agreed with the demand “Return CSSTA”

More People Supported OccupationMarch 21 TVBS48% support occupation, 40% opposeMarch 24 TVBS51% support occupation, 38% opposeMarch 27 DPP55.6% support occupation, 37.3% opposeApril 7 NextMedia57.3% satisfied with students and protestors, 34.1% dissatisfied11% satisfied with President Ma 74% dissatisfied

6.2 Immediate Political Impacts

CSSTA Wang JP promised “no cross-party consultation about CSSTA

before legislation of the monitory law,” effectively suspended it

Law of Monitoring Cross-Strait Agreements placed on legislative agenda

Beijing Office of Taiwan Affairs: “willing to talk with Taiwanese Youth”; “reopen negotiation is possible.”

Possible economic cost -unknown

Domestic Politics KMT’s reputation damaged, forced to broaden its decision-

making circle by promoting junior elected politicians to the central board

DPP, initially marginalized from the movement, may benefit from its aftermath after the power transition to Dr. Tsai

Government started to learn communicating online (e.g. the initiative to encourage cyber-participation in ongoing National Conference on Economics and Trade ( 兩兩兩兩兩兩 )

6.3 Long-term Legacies

Civil Society Social enlightenment Discursive formation on issues ranging from legislative

procedure, economic policy, cross-strait relation, Constitution, ethics of social movements

Networking and rapid restructuring among civil groups Activism

Cultural Legacies: Along the four axes Taiwanese identity further consolidated Left-wing concerns articulated More demanding transparency and social

participation More young citizen encouraged to engage politics

6.4 Beyond Taiwan

Beijing alert of the biased “benefit distribution” of the economic incentives they provided and its unfavorable effect

Limited representativeness of Political Parties of Taiwan

Inspiring regional activism?May 25- Protest outside Assembleia Legislativa of MacaoJune 6/13 – Occupy Legislative Council in Hong Kong