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The Social Transformation from Labor Movement to Political Movement—The Praxis of Committee for Action of Labor Legislation and People’s Democratic Political Movement

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Cross-Currents of Social Theorizing of Contemporary Taiwan

Abstract

This paper discusses the empowerment of the powerless in Taiwanese society. It also reviews praxis of Taiwan’s democratization by left-wing social movements. It illuminates the perspective of a key leader of the 1990s’ labor movement, Jeng Tsuen-Chyi (hereafter, Jeng). He reflects upon his personal trajectory as a participant of Taiwan’s labor movement, as well as his experience of grassroots democracy in the China Times Trade Union. In addition, he reflects on the autonomous labor movement, as represented by the Committee of Action of Labor Legislation (CALL) under his leadership, and the “Millions Spoiled Ballots” Campaign, as well as the movement of radical, participatory democracy known as, Everyone can be a political candidate and boss Movement. This paper highlights the evolution of a group of left-wing activists in their praxis of class-based social movements and examines the challenges they were confronted with.

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Correspondence to Yen-Tang Ho .

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Ho, YT., Jeng, TC., Hsia, LC. (2022). The Social Transformation from Labor Movement to Political Movement—The Praxis of Committee for Action of Labor Legislation and People’s Democratic Political Movement. In: Giri, A.K., Wu, SC. (eds) Cross-Currents of Social Theorizing of Contemporary Taiwan. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0684-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0684-8_6

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-19-0683-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-19-0684-8

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