Reflection (2)

This is how we designed our final PPT presentation. First we will start our presentation with the self-introduction of ourselves then we will talk about the topic we are going to discuss. Our presenting style will be similar to the presidential debate, we see on the television, where each side takes turns asking and answering questions. Also because it is more like a debate competition we will focus mostly on the speech deliver category in the pitch presentation guideline.

 Noticing that not all the audiences can understand or be interesting in the topic we are discussing, it is important to focus on the gestures, pacing, vocal expression and volume in order not to let the audience feel bored. As for the content description, we will start out with a basic outlines of what we are going to say, then we will present it in details in each following PPT slides. Moreover, in order to let the audiences understand more of what we are saying, we use a lot of simple examples to explain the idea. We think that by giving simple examples related to our key idea then further discuss it can make our presentation more persuasive and meaningful.

Second, in the part of the presentation structure it is like I mentioned earlier; we are going to have our ideas divided up into several categories then each one will be linked to a slide. We think that by dividing up the ideas of our issue, the audiences will not get too confused and have a clear clue of what we are doing.

 Furthermore, just like what the professor mentioned to us in our previous presentation that we are lack off interactions with the audiences. In response to this problem, I discussed with my partner and came up with the solution that between each topic of the slides we will design simple questions for the audiences. Also we are planning on how to let the audiences feel like they are part of the presentation too. Last but not least, although we seldom use any media to help our ideas. This time we are going to put short video clips related to our topics to make our PPT look more professional. 

Look Not at the Current Situation but at the Future - ETC and Economy (Revised)

“For the purpose that freeway road users can pay tolls more effectively and safely neither stopping cars, nor using cash, we programmed a BOT case which is called "Private Sector Involvement in Development of Electronic Toll Collection System" in order to promote using ETC on the freeway, increase passing volume of toll stations, save payment time, improve convenience and safety, and reduce air pollution. Furthermore, with the development of intelligent freeway in the future, ETC system will be operated and integrated into Electronic Toll & Transportation Management, ETTM, as the base of Intelligent Transportation System, ITS”. It is proclaimed by the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau, MOTC, which intended to replace the old manual toll collection with electronic toll collection and to make an avant-garde step forward in the 30 years of Taiwan Freeway history.

The way how manual toll collection function is by collecting tolls from the drivers that passed by the toll station. However, there is a fatal drawback in this method. According to the statistics provided by the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau that two thirds of automobiles using the freeways now have the chance of avoiding these toll stations, because of the short distances they are traveling and the unequal distances between toll stations, which means they can drive on the freeway for free. In contrast, for those people whose residences are close to the toll stations it would be unfair for them because they have to pay the same amount of money as driving from one toll station to another, even though they only used a short distance of the freeway. For example people living in Taishan may have to pay toll not long after they drive their car on the freeway passing by the Taishan Toll Station.

As a result, the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau came up with the solution that instead of collecting toll at each toll stations with the same price, a driver will be charged with the length he used. Therefore, in order to make it possible we rely on prevail of the electronic toll collection. Moreover, after switching completely from manual toll collection our government can save up to about 19 billion NTD and use it into social expenses. The vice minister of the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau happily announced that Taiwan could not only save billions of budgets but also becomes the first country in the world to adopt such system.

Yet, many people question the actuality of such a huge profit. Besides, in order to fulfill the plan the government still have to spend a lot of money to build up the system, which seems like a great risk. Also replacing the manual toll collection will make 974 toll collectors’ loss their job. The challenge will be at material and moral aspect.

However, think for a minute if you do not have to lose your precious time waiting at a toll station to pay toll manually. Isn’t that a significant benefit you earned especially when you are in a hurry? Furthermore the rules about toll collecting are restricted in many ways which the government would lose some money. For example the present rules indicates that if there is any natural disasters like typhoon happening the toll stations would stop working and let users passing through without paying toll. This is simply because of concerning about the life security of the toll collectors. On the contrary if electronic toll collection is put to function then we do not have to worry. Moreover, for those who lose their job due to the system, it is our government’s duty to help them transfer to another job. 

In conclusion, the benefit and convenience of electronic toll collection may not appear in the blink of an eye because of the current moral and popularity of the ETC device. However, if we think wide and far it is without doubt a profiting machine in the near future. 

   

 References 

1.      Special Report on Electronic Toll Collection --「Public Participation in Build and Operate Project for Electronic Toll Collection System on Freeways」Toll&Service Div. 2013/11/04 http://www.freeway.gov.tw/English/Publish.aspx?cnid=1112&p=503

2.      Development, Toll&Service Div., 2013/11/04 http://www.freeway.gov.tw/English/Publish.aspx?cnid=1622&p=1743

3.      國道計程 先做到相對公平http://www.cna.com.tw/news/aHEL/201310270048-1.aspx

4.      國道收費員 抗議資遣費被吃 2013, China Times, Hsieh, Hsing-En http://news.chinatimes.com/society/11050301/112013121800125.html

5.      計程收費政策說明

        http://www.freeway.gov.tw/Publish.aspx?cnid=1880&p=3860

6.      人工收費車道注意事項

        http://www.freeway.gov.tw/Publish.aspx?cnid=1484&p=484

7.      國道全面計程收費 台灣領先全球

        http://news.rti.org.tw/index_newsContent.aspx?nid=471951

Look Not at The Current Situation but at The Future

“For the purpose that freeway road users can pay tolls more effectively and safely neither stopping cars, nor using cash, we programmed a BOT case which is called "Private Sector Involvement in Development of Electronic Toll Collection System" in order to promote using ETC on the freeway, increase passing volume of toll stations, save payment time, improve convenience and safety, and reduce air pollution. Furthermore, with the development of intelligent freeway in the future, ETC system will be operated and integrated into Electronic Toll & Transportation Management, ETTM, as the base of Intelligent Transportation System, ITS”. It is proclaimed by the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau, MOTC, which intended to replace the old manual toll collection with electronic toll collection and to make an avant-garde step forward in the 30 years of Taiwan Freeway history.

        There are in total of 23 toll stations scattered on the Taiwan national freeways, the function of these toll stations was to collect toll from those who used the freeways, however, there is a big problem in this concept. According to the statistics provided by the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau that two thirds of automobiles using the freeways now have the chance of not getting through the toll stations, because of the short distances they are traveling and also the unequal distances between toll stations, which means that they do not have to pay for the use. In contrast, for those people whose residence are close to the toll stations it would be unfair for them because they have to pay the same amount of money as driving from one toll station to another, even though they only use a short distance of the freeway. For example people living in Taishan may have to pay toll not long after they drive their car on the freeway passing by the Taishan Toll Station.

As a result, the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau came up with the solution that instead of collecting toll at each toll stations with the same price, we can measure the distances a driver made on the highway and charge him with the length he used. Therefore, in order to make it possible we rely on prevail of the electronic toll collection. Moreover, after switching completely from manual toll collection our government can gain about 19 billion NTD and use it into social expenses. The vice minister of the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau happily announced that Taiwan could save up to billions of budgets and would become the first country in the world to adopt to such system.

Yet, many people question the actuality of such a huge profit. Besides, in order to fulfill the plan the government still have to spend a lot of money to build up the system, which seems like a great risk. Also replacing the manual toll collection will make 974 toll collectors’ loss their job. The cost is at the material and moral aspect.

However, think this way if you do not have to lose your precious time waiting at a toll station to pay toll manually. Isn’t that a significant benefit you earned especially when you are in a hurry? Furthermore the rules about toll collecting are restricted in many ways which the government would lose some money. For example the present rules indicates that if there is any natural disasters like typhoon happening the toll stations would stop working and let users passing through without paying toll. This is simply because of concerning about the life security of these toll collectors. On the contrary if electronic toll collection is put to function we do not have to worry. As for those who lose their job due to the system, it is our government’s duty to help them transfer to another job.

        In conclusion, the benefit and convenience of electronic toll collection may not appear in the blink of an eye because of the current moral and popularity of the ETC device. However, if we think wide and far it is without doubt a profiting machine in the near future.    

References 

1.      Special Report on Electronic Toll Collection --「Public Participation in Build and Operate Project for Electronic Toll Collection System on Freeways」Toll&Service Div. 2013/11/04 http://www.freeway.gov.tw/English/Publish.aspx?cnid=1112&p=503

2.      Development, Toll&Service Div., 2013/11/04 http://www.freeway.gov.tw/English/Publish.aspx?cnid=1622&p=1743

3.      國道計程 先做到相對公平http://www.cna.com.tw/news/aHEL/201310270048-1.aspx

4.      國道收費員 抗議資遣費被吃http://news.chinatimes.com/society/11050301/112013121800125.html

5.      計程收費政策說明

http://www.freeway.gov.tw/Publish.aspx?cnid=1880&p=3860

6.      人工收費車道注意事項

http://www.freeway.gov.tw/Publish.aspx?cnid=1484&p=484

7.      國道全面計程收費 台灣領先全球

http://news.rti.org.tw/index_newsContent.aspx?nid=471951

Annotation 3 Transcription

Good afternoon everyone we are group one of the politics and economy. I am Robert and he is Knot. Our topic today is Capitalism: A tool of the government.

Ok, to begin with I will like to introduce the tern Capitalism to every one of you. The way how capitalism functions is like different gears that twisting and pushing one another to operate the concept. As a result, capitalism is divided into two categories of people, the middle class who are those people with capitols and properties and the wage workers who had nothing at all. The two groups, therefore, worked as complementary toward one another for the middle class provides capitols and techniques and the wage workers provide labor.

Many wonders and criticism had been made to question the fairness of capitalism. The argument is that if capitalism continues to function. The problems will soon occur. The opposed people argues that the middle class will eventually be more wealthy while the workers still workers.

However, just think for a moment. If you have to work very hard every day and you get the same amount of rewards as those who are lazy. Do you think it is fair? Think this way if you have a lot of things to study like English literature, American history and have annotations to write and your classmates in response only watches movies do you still think it is fair? I don’t think so. The purpose of capitalism is to reward those hard working people with the amount of prize they deserved. It is like how the Chinese proverb goes “As you sow, so as you reap” A work and gain concept. Therefore, it is clear to see which one is more fair isn't it. Huh.

Even with this perfect concept there is still one fatal defect and that is moral corruption. Moral corruption includes corruptions like temptations and laziness. Take this for example if you are listening to a very boring class and wanted to take out your smartphone to play it is a kind of temptation. If we use it on the economy it will result in corruption. However, it is inevitable to face these challenges, therefore, strong self-disciple is required and also other outside factors such as strict laws.

Now we will take Singapore as an example of the clean government. Singapore is a typical capitalism country. Singapore had transformed itself from a British colonial pot city into one of the world’s financial Centre. And it even becomes the head of the Asian four dragons. The success of Singapore is due to its small and medium-sized enterprises. It responds to the work-gain concept we mentioned above. Also government’s economy policy is essential too. To avoid moral corruption the Singaporean government used severe laws such as life-imprisonment to restrict their people from going down.

Capitalism itself is with good intention, but moral corruption is what makes it notorious. However, it is impossible to avoid such defect to happen for there are various temptations throughout our life. As a result, simply trusting the innocence and efficiency of the government is not enough. It should be accompanied with a set of strict laws to watch it. After all, we can conclude that “Capitalism is nothing but a tool of the government that depends on who is using it”.

“As you sow, so will you reap.” Capitalism is Actually the fairest (Revised)

“Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks.” The German economist Karl Marx has defined Capitalism as an unfair system for people to live in. The worry of Karl Marx is that if our society were divided into two classes; the middle class who owned capital, factory and hired wage laborers; and workers, who were ordinary, people that owned nothing at all. The fear of this system is that if it continues to circulate the middle class will eventually gain more money while the wage workers still working for them.

However, the original purpose of Capitalism is to get the hard working people to gain what they desired. The concept of “As you sow, so will you reap.” Without doubt having people rewarded according to their effort is definitely better than distribute the rewards equally.

Many people questioned the existence of Capitalism. Criticisms have long stigmatized it to corruption, bribery and the method to oppress the poor. The truth, however, is that without Capitalism there will be no competition at all. The word competition may seem cruel for some people, because it is associated to winner and loser. The winner gets qualified and the loser gets knocked out. The way it functions is what most critics had bombarded at. However, the nature defect of human beings is that they tend to get idle easily when they are out of pressure. Think this way, if everyone is distributed with same reward because we need to take care of everyone. Do you think everyone will work to their utmost? As a result, there is no motive for people to strive hard because no matter you are hard working or lazy you will eventually be the same. Take this idea into consideration if everyone has a job then we do not have the burden of taking care of the poor and everyone could be able to feed themselves. Therefore, we can conclude that Capitalism itself is originally with proper purpose, but it is moral corruption that brought it to failure.

There are many kinds of moral corruption in our daily lives. These include temptation; laziness and power pursue which will destroy a country’s economy structure if it is involved. How to avoid this catastrophe then is essential. Take Singapore for example, the country had successfully transformed itself from a British colonial port city into one of the world’s financial center. According to Dr Harold Siow Song Teng, a Research Fellow and Administrative Manager at the Centre on Asia, he argues in his book Government Policy and Critical Success Factors of Small Businesses in Singapore that “one of the main economic players responsible for Singapore’s economic success is its small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs. Their overall success has helped propel the country and its people forward. From economic policies to politics, Singapore is a planned and regulated economy. Singapore’s economic success story is actually the result of a form of capitalism carefully calibrated and controlled by the government.” Now think for a minute if it not because a person wants to gain more money and not because a person is benefited with the amount of work he devoted, how could Singapore be called the head of the four Asian dragons. 

Moreover, he continues to claim that “An important element or aspect of good critical success factors (CSFs) emerges from the role being played by the government. The existence of good government or public policies that are pro-business is vital for the success of firms”. Singapore enforced strict laws that punishes whoever deviate the right path toward righteous. For example, if there happened to be any forms of bribery or moral corruption severe punishments such as life imprisonment would be enforced. The Singaporean government would shall no mercy toward those people who crossed the line to avoid corruption.   

In the end, the statistics had proved Singapore to be the world’s financial center. It is simply due to the severe laws that supervised the government’s performance. Moral corruption is a dangerous thing that leads to destructions. However, if we found ways to overcome it the result will be beneficial. 

References:

Harold Siow Song Teng “Government Policy and Critical Success Factors of Small Businesses in Singapore” Nov 2011      http://www.c-s-p.org/flyers/Government-Policy-and-Critical-Success-Factors-of-Small-Businesses-in-Singapore1-4438-3352-5.htm

“As you sow, so will you reap.” Capitalism is Actually the fairest

“Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks.” The German economist Karl Marx has defined Capitalism as an unfair system for people to live in. The worry of Karl Marx is that if our society were divided into two classes; the middle class who owned capital, factory and hired wage laborers; and workers, who were just common people that owned nothing at all. The fear of this system is that if it continues to circulates the middle class will eventually gain more money and the workers still working for them.

However, the original purpose of Capitalism is to get the hard working people to gain what they desired. The concept of “As you sow, so will you reap.” Even Karl Marx himself agreed on this work-gain concept.      

Many people questioned the existence of Capitalism. Criticisms have long stigmatized it to corruption, bribery and the method to oppress the poor. The truth, however, is that without Capitalism there will be no competition at all, simply because everyone is distributed with the same rewards. Therefore, there is no motive for people to strive hard because no matter you are hard working or lazy you will eventually be the same. Think for a moment that if everyone has a job then we do not have the burden of taking care of the poor and everyone could be able to feed themselves. As a result, we can conclude that the Capitalism itself is originally with proper purpose, but it is moral corruption that brought it to failure.

Take Singapore for example, the country had successfully transformed itself from a British colonial port city into one of the world’s financial center. According to Dr Harold Siow Song Teng, a Research Fellow and Administrative Manager at the Centre on Asia, he argues in his book Government Policy and Critical Success Factors of Small Businesses in Singapore that “one of the main economic players responsible for Singapore’s economic success is its small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs. Their overall success has helped propel the country and its people forward. From economic policies to politics, Singapore is a planned and regulated economy. Singapore’s economic success story is actually the result of a form of capitalism carefully calibrated and controlled by the government.” Now think for a minute if it not because a person wants to gain more money and not because a person is benefited with the amount of work he devoted, how could Singapore be called the head of the four Asian dragons.  

Moreover, he continues to claim that “An important element or aspect of good critical success factors (CSFs) emerges from the role being played by the government. The existence of good government or public policies that are pro-business is vital for the success of firms”. Singapore enforced strict laws that punishes whoever deviate the right path toward righteous. For example, if there happened to be any forms of bribery or moral corruption severe punishments such as life imprisonment would be enforced.

In the end, the statistics had proved Singapore to be the world’s financial center. It is simply due to the severe laws that supervised the government’s performance. Moral corruption is a dangerous thing that leads to destructions. However, if we found ways to overcome it the result will be beneficial.   

        

References:

Harold Siow Song Teng “Government Policy and Critical Success Factors of Small Businesses in Singapore” Nov 2011      http://www.c-s-p.org/flyers/Government-Policy-and-Critical-Success-Factors-of-Small-Businesses-in-Singapore1-4438-3352-5.htm

Reflection (1)

Group Reflections

1.      Tony & Alison

This group is focusing on the topic of human flesh search. However, they struggled to come with an argument to debate with each other. I think it is because they find it hard to associate their issue with the category of Politic and Economy. In class we tried to help them to come up with some idea. Each group was asked to provide them with some suggestions. In the end we came up with some idea that they can work with. Our group provides them with a suggestion that they can associate their issue of human flesh search with the national law. What it means is that just like ordinary crime cases a suspect is protected by the law, which as long as they are not convicted to a crime he should not be called a criminal. The reason for this to happen is to protect the privacy of investigation and the privacy of the suspect. Moreover, the professor provides them with some Mikhail Bakhtin's carnivalesque theory to help them think for their argument. 

2.      Phoebe & Niki

This group is focusing on the topic of show girls. The argument was based on whether it is suitable to have such a profession. In both of the annotation 2 we can see clearly the standing point of each side. Your group provides the reader a strong and persuasive point. However, this group suffered to start with a political and economic view toward the issue. The professor asked them to collect information from the category of politics and economy. I think they can think show girls as a kind of commodity and use the aspect of economy to start a new argument.     

3.      Vivian & Lisa

This group is also focusing on the topic of developing economy as our group does. I think this group provides more persuasive arguments than ours. They collect various professional information and sources to be organized in their annotation. I think they had done it very well. Moreover, their points are clear and their arguments are clear. They know exactly what they are going to debate with one and another.

4.      Tim C & Tim K

Actually I don’t have any clues about what your group is doing until this group meeting. After the meeting, however, I can easily recall your group’s point. I think your group managed well with your sources and had organized it well in your annotation. Moreover, your idea is persuasive and provided with fortified evidences.

Self-Reflection

 Robert & Knot

I think our group had done pretty well so far. There is one problem though with me that sometimes my point was not straight enough. I tend to use more soft words than radical words which reduce the amount of persuasion. Moreover, sometimes our topic was not fully related to one another. However, there is something that deserved to be praised and that is our group uses our sources well that we are able to convince people with our annotation. The professor had given us advice that we should look for sources that not all from the internet. This will be the goal of our group in the future annotations. We will visit library to search for useful sources and discuss it together before start writing it to avoid off-topic.   

Annotation 2 (Revised)

In the previous annotation, I used the example of the Taiwan’s Ten Major Constructions as evidence to fortify my point. I mentioned that even in the worst of the situation one should never give up on developing economy. Although the public opinions maybe supporting the developing of social welfare than developing economy. One should never follow it blindly for it had proven by my annotation 1 as a false chose. Moreover, in this annotation I am going to discuss how costly it would be if we refuse to embrace economy development.

What is the difference between locking ourselves from the outside world and committing a suicide? Refusing to take Economy development is no different than the frog in the well that knows nothing of the great ocean. With the expansion of the ASEAN 10+1 proposal and the signing of various FTA (Free Trade Agreement) between different countries; the Taiwanese government should take concern on how to avoid our economy to become isolated from the world. If not the consequences will result in the unemployment rate and the social welfares of the public. According to National Policy Foundation, the websites cites that if the Taiwanese government refused to sign ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement), then we will have to endure the heavy customs in trade while other FTA signed countries will be totally free of it. The condition will be even worse for Taiwan is not diplomatic recognized by other countries, therefore, make it hard to get into advantages in cooperation.       

Articles had been written and comments being made to warn the citizens of Taiwan the danger of signing ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement). According to Professor Kenneth S. Lin of the department of economics at National Taiwan University, he says in his blog that the signing of ECFA means the decrease of job opportunities and the increase of unemployment rate. He says, though, the Taiwanese government reassure that the Chinese labors will not be imported; the unlimited flow of money and techniques will eventually corrupt the current boundary and raise unemployment rate. It is because companies tend to manufacture their product with the greatest profit as possible. However, I am against to the professor’s thought. I think that even with great risk we should not lock ourselves up. It is inevitable for countries to survive outside of this global bond. If we do then we will be like North Korea which suffers in poverty and famine.

 Moreover, if we use the economic term “comparative advantage” to strengthen our point, we will see that it suggests that since the world had turned into a global village, it is profitable for the company then to search for places that require the less demands on customs. With this restriction in mind, countries outside of this hub-spoke game will be eliminated. As a result, companies may be forced to move to another country, factories may be shut down and the happiness of the people will be deprived.   

In recent years the role of China had transformed from World Factory to World Market. It is inevitable to make trade and cooperation with China. Moreover, the arising economic potential of the south eastern Asia had also attracted many investors and countries to invest. Therefore, I think it is urgent and necessary for the Taiwanese government to sign ECFA. To be frank, the worries about signing ECFA will affect the traditional industrial such as agricultures will not to be worried. For I think it is normal for the traditional industries to face such challenge. The solution on the other hand will not be how to protect them but how to help them transform into a more modern type. It is then better to come out of our own cage and face the fact that cooperate with other countries will be the future trend. Following this concept and you will eventually be satisfied.    

Sources:

http://www.npf.org.tw/post/2/7761

http://kslintw.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/%E5%8F%8D%E5%B0%8Decfa-9%E5%A4%A7%E7%90%86%E7%94%B1/ 

http://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%AD%B8%E8%80%85-%E6%95%88%E7%9B%8A%E6%87%89%E6%AA%A2%E8%A6%96-%E4%BD%86%E6%B2%92ecfa-%E5%87%BA%E5%8F%A3%E6%9B%B4%E5%B7%AE-152345975.html

http://tw.news.yahoo.com/ecfa%E6%95%88%E7%9B%8A%E4%B8%8D%E5%A6%82%E9%A0%90%E6%9C%9F-%E6%B0%91%E7%9C%BE%E7%84%A1%E6%84%9F-122559433.html

Annotation 2

What is the difference between locking ourselves from the outside world and committing a suicide? Refusing to take Economy development is no different than the frog in the well that knows nothing of the great ocean. With the expansion of the ASEAN 10+1 plan and the signing of various FTA (Free Trade Agreement) between different countries; the Taiwanese government should take concern on how to avoid our economy to become isolated from the world. If not the consequences will result in the unemployment rate and the social welfares of the public. According to National Policy Foundation, the websites cites that if the Taiwanese government refused to sign ECFA, then we will have to face the heavy customs in trade while other FTA signed countries will be totally free of it. The condition will be even worse for Taiwan is not diplomatic recognized by other countries, therefore, make it hard to get into advantages in cooperation.       

There have been many articles written and comments being made to warn the citizens of Taiwan that the signing of ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement) will result in disaster. According to Professor Kenneth S. Lin of the department of economics at National Taiwan University, he says that the signing of ECFA means the decrease of job opportunities and the increase of unemployment rate. He says, though, the Taiwanese government reassure that the Chinese labors will not be imported; the unlimited flow of money and techniques will eventually corrupt the current boundary and raise unemployment rate. However, the economics term comparative advantage suggests that since the world had turned into a global village, it is profitable for the company then to search for places that require the less demands on customs. With this restriction in mind, countries outside of this hub-spoke game will be eliminated. As a result, companies may be forced to move to another country, factories may be shut down and the happiness of people will decline.   

In recent years the role of China had transformed from World Factory to World Market. It is inevitable to make trade and cooperation with China. Moreover, the arising economic potential of the south eastern Asia had also attracted many investors and countries to invest. Therefore, I think it is urgent and necessary for the Taiwanese government to sign ECFA. To be frank, the worries about signing ECFA will affect the traditional industrial such as agricultures will not to be worried. For I think it is normal for the traditional industries to face such challenge. The solution on the other hand will not be how to protect them but how to help them transform into a more modern type. It is then better to come out of our own cage and face the fact that cooperate with other countries will be the future trend. Following this concept and you will eventually be satisfied.    

Transcription (1)

The topic for our group is should we consider social welfares while developing economy; and I am standing on the view of developing economy. Ok I will start, there is a article written on the internet by the chairman of the Taiwan new century foundation, he points out there is a concept of gross national happiness, he says that it is the future indicator for determining a country’s development. Because in the past we always use GDP to determining a country is a developed country or not, but the problem with GDP is that it does not take education, social welfares and so on for consideration. But there is just one simple question I will ask you. How do you develop social welfares if you don’t have money? Just simply develop like education and you don’t have money. How do you get all the books all the teachers and all the professors? So I think that it is nonsense for saying that we don’t develop economics and spend all your money on education. And I think the problem with the Taiwanese government now is that everyone, most of the people they do not agree what the government says. They think the government is only doing things to benefit the rich people, the government don’t take poor people into considerations. There are even saying says that the Taiwanese government should follow the examples of the West to develop economy and to maintain social welfares, but the question is that we all have different histories. Because during world war two our economy was damaged by the wars but in the West their developing their economy at that time so they already have a long history if stable economics, so that is why they can develop their social welfares. And I think public opinions we don’t have to take care of them, because public opinions contains the risk of inconsistency and variability because the public opinions changes over time, so it is important to have a decision maker to make good decisions. So there is an example I brought up to you is the Taiwan’s Ten Major Constructions (十大建設) at that time many people, many article, many arguments says that is project is only for the good of the rich, because poor people they cannot drive on the highway, what is the point of building the highway; but the prime minister at that time蔣經國 he insisted on building these construction he thinks that If you want a country’s economy to develop you need these constructions. And the result turns out to be a success and even beyond. Many people were out of poverty and became successful people and they make a lot of money. So I think you cannot just say you want to develop social welfares but in the meantime you are developing economy you are developing social welfares too. 

Annotation 1 (Revised)

From the article “Enhancing the Social Welfares is the Government’s Duty” by the chairman of the Taiwan New Century Foundation, he points out that the term gross national happiness is the future indicator for determining a country’s social-economic development. “According to Wikipedia the definition of the gross national happiness (GNH) was designed in an attempt to define an indicator and concept that measures quality of life or social progress in more holistic and psychological terms than only the economic indicator of gross domestic product (GDP).” It includes a wide category such as education and social welfares. Even though the things listed above are no doubt important, the methods which to achieve it are still based on money. Just think if you do not have enough money to feed yourself how could you come up with spare money to develop and maintain things.      

The challenge for the Taiwanese government now is that the generally public does not trust them. There are always disagreements to the government’s decisions. The public thinks that the government is only doing things to benefit rich people while the other suffers. There are even articles written saying that the Taiwanese government should take some Western countries for model. Perhaps it is true that these countries had both well-developed economy and social welfares. The reality, however, is that each country has its own history and culture therefore will not be the same. These countries had long stable economy while the Taiwan Economic Miracle only popped out in the recent thirty years. Yet, when we are making a decision we could not take everything into consideration, or there will be no choice made at all. Referring to the characteristic of public opinion, it contains the risks of inconsistency, complexity and variability. For ordinary citizens does not take the whole nation into concern, they are simply replying what changes had been done to them.

The decision maker, therefore, becomes important. Take the Taiwan’s Ten Major Construction Projects for example. Although the public opinions were against it at first but soon found favor from it. There is question why the general public behaved this way, because Taiwan was experiencing significant effects from both the 1973 oil crisis and economy crisis at that stage. Many people strongly believed that the government should focus on people first than to develop economy. There were even radical words on newspapers saying that the constructions are built for the riches only for the poor people will never afford to drive a car on the highway.

Apparently, the project brought up the economy as it was expected and even better. It took the whole nation into prosperity and became the well-known term of Taiwan Economic Miracle. Moreover, many people were out of poverty and even became successful in various businesses. But just think what if the government did not insist on its project and listen to what the public wants. Developing public welfares may be right but how to get the essential-money are more important. 

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_national_happiness
              http://www.taiwanncf.org.tw/ttforum/56/56-17.pdf

Annotation-The Ten Major Construction Projects

The challenge for the Taiwanese government now is that the generally public does not trust them. There are always protests and disagreements to the government’s decisions. The public thinks that the government is only doing things to benefit rich people while the other suffers. Questions such as why should government only focus on developing economy but not the public welfares and why cannot the Taiwanese government follow the examples of Finland and other country with good social system while also maintained a stable economy were asked many times. Although it may seems normal to a democratic society, which everyone deserve the chance of making their statements. However, the result of these massive amounts of sources flooded into one decision making ended up terribly. Here we not complaining about democracy for it had proved it to be the best types of government throughout this century. Yet, when we are making a decision we could not take everything into consideration, or there will be no choice made at all. Moreover, the responses received from the general public are not always correct. For ordinary citizens does not take the whole nation into concern, they are simply replying what changes had been done to them. Also the responses from the people contain the risks of inconsistency, complexity and variability.

The government, therefore, needs to maintain its original goal of bringing the best welfare to the public as possible. The Ten Major Construction Projects for example are put on progress to enhance the country’s infrastructure during the 1970. However, public opinions at that time were against to the constructions. There is no denying why the general public behaved this way, because Taiwan was experiencing significant effects from both the 1973 oil crisis and economy crisis at that stage. Many people strongly believed that the government should take care of the people first than to develop economy. There were even radical words saying that the constructions are built for the riches only for the poor people will never afford to drive a car on the highway. However, former Premier Chiang Ching-kuo insisted on building these key infrastructures such as highways, airports, and power plants, to upgrade the country’s industry and to develop the country’s economy.

Apparently, the result speaks for itself and proved the former Premier Chiang Ching-kuo to be correct. The project brought up the economy as it was expected and even better. It took the whole nation into prosperity and became the well-known term of Taiwan Economic Miracle. Moreover, many people were out of poverty and even became successful in various businesses. But just think what if the government did not insist on its project and listen to what the public wants. Maybe focusing on developing economy is cruel at some point but if we just think far, perhaps different thoughts will bounce in. Considering the circumstances of people at the moments may be the first choice the government should do, however, if there is a better choice in front why not give it a try.       

Issue Paper-Developing Economics or Maintaining Social Fairness

     The question of whether to develop a country’s economics or to maintain social fairness has long been a contentious problem for Taiwan. The controversy was established on whether it is morally acceptable to benefit the majority people and disadvantage the minors? Moreover, ordinary citizens hold solid believe that developing economics somehow equals to public welfare deprivation.
     There had been many arguments proclaimed, believing that the government should do everything to protect the equality among the people. However, the question arises on the definition of social fairness. It is obvious that no one wants to be the victim and be deprived while the others benefit from the result. Although the reality shows that both developing economics and social fairness could not be completely balanced. For example, when the Taiwanese government attempts to sign the EFCFA with the Chinese government many people protested on the street; it may seems to bring economic prosperity to the people, but in the same time sentenced a death penalty on the Taiwanese traditional industries, such as the towel industry. Therefore, it seems for the ordinary citizens that an ideal administration should always consider equality as the ultimate goal.

     Furthermore, it also reveals the ill-favored truth that without a firm economy as basic foundation there would be no social fairness. It is simple to understand this concept by thinking that if a country does not have a well-functioned economic system, how could it provide job opportunities for the needed and how could it watch over the underprivileged minority. Here, the cruel reality had exposed itself by emphasizing that fortune is the exact solution for it. For instance, when the great economic recession stroke the world back in the past years; many people were driven out of their job and were depended on the country’s pension. What if then the country were poor and were not capable of distributing out pensions for the needed. If that happened to be the case, the whole idea of the social fairness will not be considered that much. 
     To make a short conclusion, we can assume that there is no true social fairness existed in the world. It is impossible to have everyone to stand on the equal bases. Sacrifices have to be made in order to assure the welfares of the majority. Hence, the whole theory of equality and social fairness are to be designated to be idealism. Although many people claimed that why should certain people suffer while the rest benefit; it is without doubt a serious and sad problem to be discussed but the economic theory of “Opportunity Cost” might provide some explanation to support this concept. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines the economic theory “Opportunity Cost” as "the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen". Briefly, what it means is that if we had to make a choice between the choices, we should always choose the one that provides the less cost.


Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVCgnuAH9Zg
http://jingji.cntv.cn/20100314/101897.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost