« Taiwan Journal of Political Science No.34Publish: 2007/12

Party Caucuses Negotiation and Legislation Process: Analysis of the Fifth Legislative Body in Taiwan

Author: Shiow-Duan Hawang, Song-Ting Ho

Abstract / Chinese PDF Download

In the Legislative Yuan, it is impossible for 225 legislators to make all of theirdecisions  through  a  process  of  bargaining  and  compromise  among  independentmembers, unless there is some force that can mediate the conflicting interests. Thepolitical  party  in  the  Legislative  Yuan  seeks  to  provide  a  focus  and  act  as  acentralizing force that will permit Congress to reach meaningful decisions.This article will focus on what kind of role a party caucus negotiation plays inthe legislative process: What kinds of bills are more easily referred to a party caucusnegotiation? After being referred to the party caucus negotiation, what kinds of billsare  easier  to  pass?  To  what  extent  can  the  party  caucus  negotiation  promotelegislative lawmaking?This   paper   will   examine   2472   legislative   bills   proposed   by   differentinstitutions or players to  see if there  are certain characteristics  that result in  somebills  more  easily  being  sent  to  negotiation.  From  those  bills  referred  to  the  partycaucus negotiation, what kind more easily finish the negotiation, and what kind areeasier to pass?Party bills, bills going straight to the second reading, political and cross-straitissues,  bills  referred  to  heavily  busy  committees,  and  bills  with  counter-proposalsare more frequently sent to negotiation. Most of these bills are also more likely toreach  agreement.  However,  bills  referred  to  heavily  busy  committees  are  moreeasily sent to negotiation, but less likely to reach agreement.Governmental bills, and bills with counterproposals are easier to pass. On theother  hand,  bills  sent  to  highly  busy  committees,  economic  and  financial  issues,educational and cultural issues appear less easy to get passed.

Keywords:Bill Initiators、Going Straight to the Second Reading、Party Caucus Negotiation、The Counterproposals、The Third Reading