Now that the new administration is a reality, we have come to realize that leaving behind an old era is never easy. I cannot help but feel admiration for Ronald Coase, 1991 Nobel Laureate for Economics,who theorized about the existence of "transaction costs." He hit the bull's eye by pointing out the enormous cost of people's preconceived ideas and existing habits.
We ought to know that not every proposal under discussion will be approved. A decision based on a consensus reached after debate and discussion prevents mistakes. New policies must first be scrutinized by elected representatives and made transparent and public. It forces the well-paid legislators to work on understanding the policies.
I hope that the new officials are not intimidated by public criticism and turn mute. Rather, the new mentality and new ideas of the officials should be stimulated by their debates.
With this in mind, we could peacefully engage in a discussion of two controversial issues -- the "No haste, be patient" (
These issues appear unrelated, but they share the same goal -- the maintenance of Taiwan's security. Both policies target Taiwanese businessmen in China.
The "No haste" policy has been in place for a while and there is a powerful momentum growing to loosen it by substi-tuting a "national security tax." The proposed tax is actually much more liberal and lax than the old policy and compares to the imposition of import tariffs versus a ban on imports. The latter forbids imports, while the former allows for paid access.
Although different national security taxes will probably be applicable only to import items banned under the "No haste" policy, the level of liberalization resulting from the new policy would still be inadequate both from a theoretical and a practical perspective.
Both ideas are based on a belief that doing business in China may produce "external costs," primarily the threat to national security. "Capitalizing the communist bandits"
From a purely theoretical perspective, these external costs may also be seen as "external benefits" to Taiwan. In terms of national security, if the Taiwan and the Chinese coastal areas, could, with the help of Taiwanese businessmen, become a community integrated by interests, wouldn't Taiwan's security be ensured in the process?
The "No haste, be patient" policy never should have become a government policy. It should have simply been a motto for Taiwanese businessmen.
All that the government could and should do is create and maintain internal justice, order, an investment environment without the black gold, a high-quality living environment and good communication with the businessmen. If this is done, then, wherever the Taiwanese businessmen may be, their hearts will forever be with Taiwan, their home.
Wu Hui-lin is a researcher at the Chung-Hua Institute for Economic Research.
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