How Taiwan’s Government Works: Structures, Roles, and Evolving Public Administration

What is it about?

This work explains how Taiwan’s government is organized and how it operates in practice. It begins by introducing a core idea in public administration: the relationship between politics (i.e., elected leaders) and administration (i.e., career officials). This relationship is often described as a “division” or “dichotomy,” but the chapter shows that this separation is not clear-cut. Instead, it is a flexible and interactive relationship that evolves over time and in response to changing political needs. The chapter revisits classic theories, particularly those of Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Waldo, to demonstrate how modern public administration combines political leadership with bureaucratic expertise. The main part of the chapter describes Taiwan’s central and local governments in straightforward terms. Taiwan has a President and five major branches—called “Yuans”: Executive Yuan (administration), Legislative Yuan (law-making), Judicial Yuan (courts), Examination Yuan (civil service system), and Control Yuan (oversight). The chapter explains what each Yuan does, how they interact, and how power is balanced among them. It also outlines Taiwan’s local government system, including special municipalities, counties, and townships, as well as the process by which local leaders are elected and governed. Another important theme is the evolution of Taiwan’s administrative system over time. The chapter outlines major government reforms, including efforts to streamline agencies, enhance coordination, decentralize decision-making, and promote public participation. It also highlights the trend toward “cross-boundary governance,” meaning that government agencies, citizens, and social groups are increasingly working together across traditional boundaries. Overall, the chapter provides a clear and structured overview of how Taiwan’s modern government functions and how public administration continues to evolve in response to social and political challenges.

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Photo by Winston Chen on Unsplash

Photo by Winston Chen on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This work is significant because it integrates theory, institutional design and real-world political practice in a manner that is rarely seen in Taiwan’s public administration literature. It provides both domestic and international readers with a clear explanation of Taiwan’s government structure—something that is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Its contribution is unique in three ways: (1) Bridging classic theory with Taiwan’s experience. By connecting foundational debates in public administration (such as the politics-administration dichotomy) with Taiwan’s political institutions, the chapter helps readers understand how global theories apply in a distinct democratic context. (2) Offering an updated, comprehensive description of Taiwan’s central and local government. Many English-language resources on Taiwan’s government are outdated or fragmented. This chapter reflects constitutional amendments, organizational reforms, and the current administrative system, making it a timely and up-to-date reference. (3) Highlighting contemporary governance challenges and reforms. Topics such as cross-boundary governance, government downsizing, citizen participation, and inter-agency coordination are timely and relevant. They help readers see how Taiwan adapts to new social expectations, democratic development, and global policy trends. By combining theory, institutional detail, and reform experiences, the chapter provides a clear and accessible guide that will help scholars, students, practitioners, and the general public better understand how Taiwan’s government works today.

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