One Policy analysis in a time of turbulence
-
Chilik Yu
Abstract
A quarter century after peaceful democratic reforms and liberal economic development on the country, Taiwan is now entering into an era of turbulence. As part of the “growing pains” of a young democracy, recent political uncertainty and financial scarcity in Taiwan have raised legitimate concerns about the ability of the Taiwanese government to make desirable and feasible policies for the people. This chapter examines the current governance crisis affecting Taiwan on several fronts. Overall, increasing financial resource scarcity, incessant partisan disputes, greater electoral polarization, and growing clout of the news media have made the entire public policy-making process—from problem identification to policy evaluation—much more uncertain and unpredictable. Whereas the past authoritarian regime was able to make policies in a centralized and distributive style without much opposition, today’s democratically-elected government must learn to make policies in a politically and financially unstable environment, before a raucous, fickle, and sometimes unforgiving public.
Abstract
A quarter century after peaceful democratic reforms and liberal economic development on the country, Taiwan is now entering into an era of turbulence. As part of the “growing pains” of a young democracy, recent political uncertainty and financial scarcity in Taiwan have raised legitimate concerns about the ability of the Taiwanese government to make desirable and feasible policies for the people. This chapter examines the current governance crisis affecting Taiwan on several fronts. Overall, increasing financial resource scarcity, incessant partisan disputes, greater electoral polarization, and growing clout of the news media have made the entire public policy-making process—from problem identification to policy evaluation—much more uncertain and unpredictable. Whereas the past authoritarian regime was able to make policies in a centralized and distributive style without much opposition, today’s democratically-elected government must learn to make policies in a politically and financially unstable environment, before a raucous, fickle, and sometimes unforgiving public.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Notes on contributors x
- Policy analysis in a time of turbulence 1
- Exploring policy advisory committees in the central government 23
- Analysis of innovative local government policies in Taiwan 39
- Policy analysis in the legislative body: the legislative process of the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act in Taiwan 53
- Policy analysis in the local councils 67
- Gendering policy analysis? The problems and pitfalls of participatory ‘gender impact assessment’ 81
- The power of influencing policies, or getting their share and more: interest groups in Taiwan 95
- Think tanks in Taiwan 111
- The development of public engagement in Taiwan 123
- Social media and policy evolution in Taiwan 137
- Policy analysis by non-governmental organisations in Taiwan 151
- Policy network of universal healthcare reform in Taiwan 171
- Public policy and administration research 187
- Too critical to ignore? A tri-dimensional relationship examination of policy analysis internship in Taiwan 207
- Policy analysis in Taiwan from an international perspective 219
- Policy analysis education in Taiwan: a comparative perspective 231
- Index 247
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Notes on contributors x
- Policy analysis in a time of turbulence 1
- Exploring policy advisory committees in the central government 23
- Analysis of innovative local government policies in Taiwan 39
- Policy analysis in the legislative body: the legislative process of the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act in Taiwan 53
- Policy analysis in the local councils 67
- Gendering policy analysis? The problems and pitfalls of participatory ‘gender impact assessment’ 81
- The power of influencing policies, or getting their share and more: interest groups in Taiwan 95
- Think tanks in Taiwan 111
- The development of public engagement in Taiwan 123
- Social media and policy evolution in Taiwan 137
- Policy analysis by non-governmental organisations in Taiwan 151
- Policy network of universal healthcare reform in Taiwan 171
- Public policy and administration research 187
- Too critical to ignore? A tri-dimensional relationship examination of policy analysis internship in Taiwan 207
- Policy analysis in Taiwan from an international perspective 219
- Policy analysis education in Taiwan: a comparative perspective 231
- Index 247
