Problems with the Development of Local Politics in Taiwan: A Perspective on Local Governance
Resource
政治科學論叢, 31, 001-038
Journal
政治科學論叢
Journal Issue
31
Pages
001-038
Date Issued
2007-03
Date
2007-03
Author(s)
Chao, Y.M.
Abstract
The development of democracy in Taiwan has shown itself to be successful in local self-government and democratic elections; it has even completed the peaceful transition of central ruling parties through means of election. However, there are still some symptoms of ill-health with the development of local political democracy in Taiwan: the powerlessness and dysfunction of local governments, oligarchy and power abuse of elected political bodies, worsening of political ecology and closed political processes in local democracy, problems with monopoly and the spoils system in governing local public resources and the politico-economic interests shown by informal groups such as local factions, families-and-relatives or mafia-and-money (black-gold) coalition. These factors all impede the development of local political democracy consolidation and its deepening in Taiwan. Reconstructing political ecology, culture, institution, and governance capacity are possible problem-solving strategies. From cases in Britain and the United States, we can find some valuable pragmatic reflections: enhancing the capacity of local government and self-government, empowering local civil social organizations, 'bridge and build' collaborative governance structure to make public sectors and private or social organizations become governing partnerships or networks on divergent public issues and policies. In detail, "Sunny Acts" should be established, to improve the principles necessary for transparency, openness, participation and accountability, and to prevent and avoid corruption and power abuse within local political bodies. In addition, central government should amend or build relevant laws and regulations that encourage and subsidize local governments in intergovernmental cooperation and cross-boundary management. These strategies on governance capacity-building and institution-building will be good for Taiwan to make strong democracy for local politics development.
Subjects
地方治理；黑金政治；公民社會；民主鞏固；local governance；mafia politics；civil society；democracy consolidation
Type
journal article
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