Accountability in Taiwan’s Local Governments: How Taipei’s Council Wields Power

• In Event: Elites vs. the Public in Taiwan

Abstract

Having held its eighth straight round of direct elections for the presidency in 2024, Taiwan is widely praised as a model case of democratization. At the local level, though, politics are known to deviate from democratic and legal norms in various ways. This paper forms part of a project that carefully examines the relatively little-studied topic of horizontal accountability in Taiwan’s cities and counties. Local councils in Taiwan, as in most democracies, have the duty of overseeing mayors and thus providing horizontal accountability. Yet in practice, local executives often have many means of thwarting such scrutiny. The ability or inability of councils to fulfill these responsibilities is a significant dimension of the overall health of Taiwan’s democracy.

Unique conditions in Taipei, compared to other localities in Taiwan, enhance the city council’s power in some ways. The capital city’s 61 council members operate on an elevated stage, second only to the national legislature in prominence, and often attract the spotlight of television and newspaper coverage. Given the long tradition of Taipei mayors becoming contenders for Taiwan’s presidency, these executives are naturally subject to intense scrutiny. Although the council’s speaker has, to date, always remained in the hands of one party (the Kuomintang), the council is as politically diverse as the well-educated and affluent city it represents, with a strong Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) contingent as well as third parties and independents. Taipei thus stands as something of a “best-case” scenario for local accountability. But can the council actually wield power in practice, and if so, through what means?

This paper -- based on dozens of interviews, media and social media sources, and video records of interpellation sessions -- examines the extent to which the Taipei’s council and other forces were able to achieve accountability during the mayorship of Ko Wen-je (2014–2022). Ko came to power as a maverick and political independent, achieving his initial election with the DPP’s backing, then winning reelection despite challenges from both major parties. He benefited from a strong base of support among those, especially young people, who saw him as a breath of fresh air and a force for reform and rationalization. This, along with the inherent powers of the mayor’s office, gave him considerable leverage to deter or override criticism. Even so, on a wide range of issues over his eight years in office, council members were able to question his administration, expose problems, demand explanations, and insist on providing input.

Authors

• Benjamin L. Read, University of California, Santa Cruz

• Dai Lin Hsi, Ming Chuan University

• Chun-Ming Chen, Shih Hsin University