Privatization based on this kind of analytical parameter touches only upon the calculated macrocosmic interests, without considering the high costs in the microcosmic sphere. Such costs are typically borne by society as a whole. At times such as this, it is truly doubtful how much legitimacy remains within the market mechanism advocated by the believers of economic liberalism.
I am not against privatization. However, the government, in the process of privatization, should focus more on the microcosmic interests. The rights of the many parties possibly impacted by the privatization should be given serious consideration in the government's privatization process.
Huang Chi-lung is an associate researcher at the Foundation of National Development and Research.
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