From the Taiwan Provincial Assembly to the Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council: The Readjustment of Organizational Functions and Structure

Abstract

According to Art 9 of the “Additional Articles” of the ROC Constitution, the Taiwan Provincial Assembly (TPA) was to be abolished on December 21, 1998. Another agency named the Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council (TPCC) was created to replace the TPA. Such a change signifies democratic development, constitutional reform, and the reinventing of government in Taiwan. This article describes four historical stages of evolution of the TPA and evaluates different arguments about the transformation of the TPA`s organizational functions and structure. The author emphasizes that the status of Taiwan Province shall be diminished gradually to a nominal tier of government, and therefore the TPCC must adjust its functions from a representative assembly to a coordinating and advisory council. The TPCC`s organizational structure should thus be streamlined accordingly.