"Mistaken policy is even scarier than corruption." To Taiwan's forgetful society, this admonition is something that is at once real and far removed. What is real about it is that vivid examples are practically everywhere to be found. What makes it far removed is that society has yet to formulate a set of good decision-making models for dealing with controversial policies, and does not carry out rigorous investigation of mistakes. Taiwan must not continue to suffer the disastrous consequences of mistaken policies.
Recent examples of mistaken policies include the development of Tanhai New Town (淡海新市鎮). Back in the early 1990s when the government first proposed this policy as a solution to the problem of high housing prices, many groups of experts came together in opposition, but the central government went ahead on its own against their advice. Six years later, after the first stage of development, few people showed interest in the land and housing built at enormous cost.
The degree of waste in the monthly interest outlay of NT$150 million being shouldered by the Ministry of the Interior's construction and planning administration is heartbreaking. But even more heartbreaking is that the beautiful mountain ridges and wild streams between Tamsui and Sanchih have disappeared because of this mistaken policy. The rich ecology of flora and fauna has been irreparably damaged. Similar experiences of past mistaken policy include the Changpin Industrial District (彰濱工業區), the new cross-island highway, multi-story parking garages in rural areas, countless development projects on mountain slopes, and the project to remodel KMT headquarters. Policy mistakes that were narrowly averted include the Meinung Reservoir (
Our society is extremely forgetful. Hence, although there may be fierce protests before a policy is decided upon, the great majority of these efforts are in vain, and ultimately the mistaken policy is still adopted. This process has cost Taiwan dearly in social and economic terms, but hasn't had the slightest educational effect upon society. Mistakes continue to occur. Looking back at history, there are a few exceptions that give us some comfort. We should learn from them.
In the late 1980s, Taipei City drew opposition from environmental and urban planning groups over a plan to build a large sports complex on the site which now houses Ta-an Forest Park. After a period of political mobilization and wrangling, both sides remained unwilling to back down. Finally, a formal hearing was held in the Taipei City Council, where each side invited advisors to clearly set forth their opinions, opening up a policy debate. The result was that the city government decided not to build, avoiding a policy outcome that might well otherwise be a source of regret today, while once again planting values of respect for the environment and seeking to make the city green. We obtained more than an increase in green areas. In terms of the process of handling controversy over city policy, the incident involving Taipei's Ta-an Forest Park was an extremely valuable experience.
Controversy is both inevitable and necessary for society. It is the source of society's creative impulse. A healthy society should have a good mechanism for handling controversy, one which provides room for open, rational debate and which can turn conflict into fuel for new ideas. Unfortunately, in the past, tension between different ethnic groups, the preferences of different political parties, or other social relations have always strained any controversy, causing issues to become oversimplified and emotional, and leading to the formation of crude opposition. Later the controversy becomes politically attached to considerations of a particular ethnic group or political party, and finally it is sacrificed in political wrangling.
Recently, a controversy has formed between Puli township and the Nantou County government over whether or not to develop a new administrative center. In Hsinchu city, local neighborhoods and the municipal government are facing off over whether or not an elevated highway should be built over the Keya River (
Wise policymakers often focus on leading not the policymaking process itself, but rather the lessons and creativity that can come with the policymaking process.
A sincere recommendation for those in charge in the two above-mentioned controversies is that they should hold wide-ranging discussions, inviting impartial experts to hold hearings and let the public know the points that are in dispute so they can be given a choice and collectively shoulder the responsibility.
The purpose is not only to avoid mistaken policies but, more importantly, to raise the standards of society.
Taiwan's society, which prides itself on "democracy leading the way, knowledge pulling ahead," should have the courage and wisdom to offer such a course.
Tseng Shu-cheng is an associate professor at the department of architecture, Tamkang University.
Translated by Scudder Smith and Ethan Harkness
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