Chilik Yu

Policy instruments for reducing toxic releases: the effectiveness of state information and enforcement actions

This article analyzes the extent to which different policy instruments explain toxic reductions among the states. Data from the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and other sources are used to assess the effect of various policy instruments, while holding economic factors constant. State TRI information programs, enforcement action, and direct regulation all matter in reducing toxic releases. Interestingly, the informational tool seems to matter more than both authoritative tools. The findings also support the idea that the interaction of policy instruments as well as the match between policy tools and policy context may account for a portion of the results.

Corruption Perception in Taiwan: reflections upon a bottom-up citizen perspective

Taiwans transition from authoritarian to democratic rule has not necessarily resulted in lower levels of perceived corruption on the island. Indeed, many Taiwan citizens have come to view the problem of corruption as worsening in recent years. To understand what these perceptions are and why they have emerged, this study examines Taiwanese attitudes toward corruption and its control from a bottom-up approach. By utilizing data from an original, nationwide public opinion survey, the authors identify the most prevalent corrupt behaviors and the institutions in Taiwanese society that are most susceptible to corruption. The paper then investigates three ‘bottom-up’ factors that help explain variations in the perception of corruption by citizens: encounter with government bureaucracy, party identification, and the effect of media. Analysis of survey data indicates that all three factors influence how Taiwanese people feel about corruption and corruption-related issues.

Assessing Public Policy Research in Taiwan: An Analysis of Journal Publications, 1996–2007

Abstract This study examines the contributors, subject contents, and methodologies of public policy scholarship in Taiwan. Through an analysis of 192 articles published in five journals between 1996 and 2007, it suggests that a professional journal solely devoted to public policy analysis is necessary to connect academic researchers and practitioners, and that policy studies in Taiwan must continuously raise the level of methodological rigor. The study’s results help public policy communities in other countries to have a better understanding of Taiwan’s public policy research; furthermore, by drawing attention to the problems and weaknesses in the development of Taiwanese public policy scholarship, the study is meant to advance the current discussion on ways to strengthen the quality of policy research around the world.

Sibling rivalry among anti-corruption agencies in Taiwan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the multiple anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) in Taiwan and their conflict resolution. The birth of the Agency Against Corruption (AAC) in 2011 created the unintended consequence of sibling rivalry with the elder Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB). Design/methodology/approach – A historical background of these agencies is discussed and followed by an analysis of the diversified conflicts among the prosecutor’s office, the AAC and the MJIB. The empirical sources of this study include 17 in-depth interviews with government officials both at ministerial level and field level, scholars and NGO representatives. Findings – The redundancy of ACAs in Taiwan is a fact, which is extremely difficult to change in the foreseeable future in the light of current political and fiscal constraints. This paper concludes that the conflicts among multiple ACAs and their operational weaknesses will not fade away after a mere directive from their superi...

A Three-World Model of Political Communication: Public Opinion, Elite Opinion and Public Policy in Taiwan, 1996-2000

To what extent have the policy choices of the Taiwan government been consistent with the opinions of the public and the elite? Using the results of 549 policy opinion surveys, public opinion was compared with actual policy decisions on 113 issues from 1996 through 2000. Public policy decisions were consistent with the preferences of the majority of the public on 48 percent of the cases. As for the comparison between elite opinion and public policy, this research collected data from 189 policy opinion surveys on 87 issues, again from 1996 through 2000. Public policy decisions were consistent with the preferences of the majority of the elite on 54 percent of the cases. By combining these data, this research identified 41 issues on which both public and elite opinion surveys have been conducted and found: (1) government decisions were consistent with the preferences of the majority of both the public and elite on 20 cases (about 49 percent); (2) government decisions on 6 cases (about 15 percent) were consistent with the preferences of the majority of the public but not consistent with those of the majority of the elite; (3) government decisions on 5 cases (about 12 percent) were consistent with the preferences of the majority of the elite but not consistent with the majority of public opinion; (4) government decisions on 10 cases (about 24 percent) were inconsistent with the preferences of the majority of both the elite and of the public. Since government decisions were made by the leadership echelons, this paper develops a three-world model to describe and explain policy formulation and political communication in Taiwan: the public, the elite, and the leadership echelons together paint a complicated picture of preference consistency on various policy issues.