President Chen Shui-bian and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had a pretty rough ride in 2005-06. Election losses, corruption scandals, government paralysis, and internal party divisions have all left the party floundering. President Chen is confronting a crisis of confidence and fighting for political survival. Over the past six years under his rule, the island has suffered from dirty politics, rampant corruption, ethnic tension, and economic mismanagement. The DPP came to power in 2000 with an image of integrity. However, the DPP is perceived as having perpetuated the corrupt system rather than having corrected it. It seems now that corruption has become the driving force for the entire state machine.Corruption is multi-faceted and needs to be fought on different fronts simultaneously. While helpful, democracy is by no means a cure for corruption, nor is economic liberalization a panacea for ending public sector crime. The necessary strategies are a combination of law enforcement, prevention through institutional reforms, and public support. The battle against political corruption can be won in Taiwan— and it will be won if the political leadership demonstrates political will. Without this, nothing will change.