The financial and economic policy white papers of the four major presidential hopefuls -- KMT candidate Lien Chan (
However, important considerations such as cross-strait relations, the reconstruction of 921 earthquake-hit areas, the role of the future premier, and the consolidation of social welfare policies are missing, academics say.
"Taiwan has always pursued economic growth over economic sustainability," said Chu Wan-wen (
"However, in order to provide a cleaner environment and hence, standard of living, it is time for Taiwan to sacrifice some of its economic growth rate."
According to Lin Chuan (
Chu also said that Taiwan's economic development would be strongly influenced by its position toward China; however, no candidates so far have given a clear position with regard to these two interrelated issues.
In terms of domestic economic policy making, Chu pointed out that tax credits for the electronics industry should be removed since the industry has matured, and benefits for non-professional working people should be given more consideration.
Tseng Chu-wei (曾巨威), professor of public finance at National Chengchi University, said that Taiwan's structural unemployment situation has never been more serious, and it is important for the new government to establish some kind of social safety net. According to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics (主計處), after seasonal adjustment, the unemployment rate last December was 3.03 percent, which was the highest over 14 years, and the time needed between jobs increased from 15 weeks to 33 weeks.
Specifically, social welfare policies are in need of organization. "Except for the national health insurance program, other programs such as the civil servant insurance program and the labor insurance program don't cover the general population," Lin said.
Chu also pointed out that candidates should publish "budget white papers" (
"It is so easy to just make political promises one after another without backing them up with budget proposals," said Chu. "Without a budget white paper, many policies will be used by competing political parties to maintain the status quo, and the election becomes just a cheating game."
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