1. Preface
In the administrative state, realistic and coherent policy-making by the government is of primary importance in national development and in the promotion of the welfare of the citizens.
2. The Status of Law-making by Legislative Processes...
1. Preface
In the administrative state, realistic and coherent policy-making by the government is of primary importance in national development and in the promotion of the welfare of the citizens.
2. The Status of Law-making by Legislative Processes and by Governmental Decree.
Since the establishment of ROK government, the laws proposed by the executive branch of government have been dominant in number to those proposed by the legislative branch. In addition, executive decrees have outnumbered all laws. This tendency has been accelerated since 1970, rapidly transforming the government into that of an administrative state.
3. The Gulf between Social Reality and Policy.
Legislation is the consequent expression of policy-making. However, on can find laws and ordinances which are not consistent with reality, and which bring about conflicts among the functions of various sectors of the society. This means that coherence in the policy-making process is lacking.
Cases lacking such coherence have been enumerated in this study, but more cases will be found through further research.
4. Factors which prevent Appropriate Policy-making.
In this study, the roles of various policy-influencing agents, such as, political parties, special interest groups, outside specialists and the press, in relation to policy-making, are explained.
Inadequacy within the administrative structure is also explained. None of these agents adequately perform their roles. Within the administrative structure factors such as a disproportionate amount of power wielded by high-level over low-level officials, a lack of special organizations which deal with the materials for policy-making, and a lack of adequately trained high-level officials are found to prevent the fulfilment of appropriate policy-making. It is believed that all of these problems stem from the developing state of our social, economic and political environment.
5. Conclusion: Trends and Countermeasures.
Trends.
Concurrent with progress in industrialization, the pertinent qualities of those who participate in policy-making and the circumstances of our total environment are steadily improving, promising a hopeful future.
Countermeasures.
Accepting the philosophy that agents for change lie within the system rather than outside of it, emphasis should now be placed on improving the training of high-ranking civil servent. Innovative, scientifically-trained, upright and incorruptible civil servents have become essential to the success of government.