本文從黨外時期、反對黨時期、執政黨時期及2008年再度在野後四個時期，詳細敘述民進黨新潮流派系的台灣前途論述及其發展。本文發現作為黨內歷史悠久的派系，其濃烈的知性色彩、強大的議題設定能力與組織運作能力，讓新潮流派系長期在黨內台獨論述上扮演最為重要及唯一持續主導的角色。在內容上，早期新潮流派系的論述從「自決」、「主權獨立」、「新國家」到〈台獨黨綱〉，呈現出日益激進、反抗現有體制的特徵。1990年代中期，民進黨的台灣前途論述開始邁向實質轉型，最終以〈台灣前途決議文〉作為呈現；即使經過8年執政時期，迄今仍是最主要的指導原則。在前述決議文與相關詮釋中，雖然仍聲稱堅持台灣獨立；但其意義已非過去的建立台灣共和國，而是「承認現狀已經獨立、維持現狀就是台獨」。

Reflection on the four periods: Dangwai, opposition party; ruling party; after 2008, this paper describes the discourse and its development on Taiwan Future of the DPP's New Tide Faction. It finds: to be the oldest faction, depends on its intellectual wisdom; strong power on agenda setting and organizational operation, the New Tide Faction plays the important and crucial role on the discourse of Taiwan Future. In early times, it emphasis the concepts on "self-determination"; "independence of sovereignty"; "new nation-state" to "party platform on Taiwan independence", its claim appears more radical; more counter the existing institution. In the middle 1990s, the discourse of Taiwan future become a more moderate one, it appeared the "Resolution on Taiwan Future". Even after the eight years of ruling government, it was still a guidance in the DPP. The main concern on this Resolution was not to achieve the Republic of Taiwan; it acknowledged the status quo means independence, and maintained the status quo means Taiwan independence.