Finally, there is the threat of administrative disaster. The current administrative structure can no longer deal with the multidimensional administrative functions of the 21st century. Administration is no longer limited to managing security, police and regulations, as the nation’s needs expand. It should also cover planning, forecasting, information, care and services among others. Several academics have pointed out how decades of lax and slack discipline have infected central and local government agencies.
Thanks to the computerization of the household, tax and land affairs administration, there is no longer any need for a bloated bureaucracy, while more staff is needed for environmental protection, disease prevention, healthcare, food hygiene, water, soil, forestry and mining, and plant and animal conservation.
Unfortunately, the passive and inflexible Central Personnel Administration fails to see this overall picture and provide career change training. This has saddled the government with a heavy personnel burden. New and important administrative tasks are given very small budgets. The small expenditure means that protection of public assets and livelihood resources and disaster and disease prevention do not receive sufficient staffing support.
We should also pay attention to the government’s plan to launch long-term care insurance in 2011. The question is whether the government is ready to meet the requirements for caregivers, social workers, counselors and other administrative personnel.
Taiwan is facing not only these four structural disasters. National health insurance and medical affairs, the judicial system, and national defense and security are also showing signs of a looming disaster. With the Cabinet change, we need a national leader with a sense of mission and who is willing to take responsibility. To be able to avert structural disaster, the main focus must be placed on the allocation of manpower and material resources and strengthening organizational training and preparation.
Lin Terng-yaw is a law professor at Tunghai University.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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