Taiwan's need for 'professionalism'

An impasse exists over whether to construct the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (核四廠). From the president, to the premier, to the minister of economic affairs, to Taipower, there are four "layers" to the impasse. Each of the layers has been nudged up and down by people with different positions, by different points of view. Despite its appearance, the situation has turned sour at each of its layers.

In the complex process of policy-making, there is a confusing term called "professionalism" (專業). Taipower bears a grudge against the government for trivializing its "professionalism." In the name of professionalism, Lin Hsin-yi (林信義), the minister of economic affairs, advised the Executive Yuan to halt the construction project, but his "professional" judgement was immediately criticized by Premier Tang Fei (唐飛) as "lacking reason."

The term "professionalism" has been much abused. The self-adorned badge of "professionalism" is one of the government sector unpleasant features. It is obvious that our cultural heritage has not passed down this "professional" spirit to governments of later generations. During President Chiang Ching-kuo's presidency (蔣經國), the system for recruiting government officials operated smoothly and was not confined to "professional" grounds. Following his father Chiang Kai-shek's example, President Chiang sent military leaders abroad as diplomats in a bid to keep them under control.

Lee Yuan-tsu (李元簇), with a background in military law, was appointed rector of National Chengchi University and then became Minister of Education. Sun Yun-suan (孫運璿), a specialist in electrical engineering, was summoned to take charge of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), and then the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Of former ministers of the MOTC, neither Kao Yu-shu (高玉樹), Lin Chin-sheng (林金生) or Lien Chan (連戰), had ever specialized in "transportation and communications." Chiang Yen-shih (蔣彥士), with a background in agriculture, served as Minister of Education, and Minister of Foreign Affairs as well.

Top positions in departments below the ministries were usually taken by soldiers-turned-politicians. The navy controlled the Yangming Marine Transport Corp and Commerce Promotion Bureau (招商局) as its territory. The air force tended to regard China Airlines, airports and the Civil Aeronautics Administration as its own preserve. And the army held the reins at the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau and the Taiwan Railway Administration, as if they were suitable spots for retreat and retirement. In addition, some people were good at pulling strings to climb the social ladder, such as Tung Hsiao-yi (董孝誼), husband of Ho Ying-chin's (何應欽) niece, who was appointed director of the Chiang Kai-shek Airport after retiring from the navy.

Under former President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Chen Lu-an (陳履安) was appointed minister of economic affairs -- to the surprise of many. Once he took office again as the National Defense Minister, nobody was surprised. The political critics instead reacted with a lofty gesture and hastened to present a "serious" analysis of Lee's philosophy of employment as characteristic of his profoundly skillful and finessed power-playing ability, as though his philosophy had gone far beyond "professionalism."

Only a layman would dwell on the concept of professionalism in politics. In the 50-year political history of Taiwan, when did politicians ever hold professionalism in high regard, despite the fact that they paid lip service to the concept voters now and again when under the eyes of the voters?