There's about ten days left in the presidential campaign, but it seems that there is no real confrontation of ideology and policy between candidates Lee Hoi-chang and Roh Moo-hyun. Instead we have party-like events and advertisements, emotional appeals, and an effort to divide region and generation. If the campaign season comes to a close with no improvement, the election will be remembered as not having been a success, no matter who wins.

There will of course be various reasons why there is no profound discourse on the future of the nation in this, the first presidential election of the 21st century. One does notice that each candidate seems to be consciously packaging themselves with their own vague ideological wrapping. This is of course part of the strategy involved in winning votes, but it leaves those who do the voting seriously confused.

When Lee speaks with the same strong tone towards the United States in regards to the death of two middle school girls, and when Roh says "I'm not progressive," many people are left wondering what they're really about. It would be a welcome thing if each man, while still in the process of the campaign, were in a natural process of formulating their views. But one wonders if they'll talk the same after the election.

Despite the strategizing over regionalism and generational differences and the sales finesse that drives the tactics, it's still not too late to have more debate over policy. The current policy coordination efforts going on between Roh and Chung Mong-joon would be one example. The two of them have had clear differences on ideology, political identity, and major policy issues, so the process by which they put these concerns together could lead to some major areas of contention late in the campaign.

The "unifying" of their campaigns, which happened in a single effort lacking debate on ideology and policy, still has to make it possible for the two of them to figure out what they will together lay before the voters, as this would allow for honest debate and a competition of political vision.

December 7, 2002