Whether reckoned in terms of the number of levels of government, number of civil servants or budget expenditure, Taiwan's government is a giant monster. The central government has seven branches, including the National Assembly, the Presidential Office and the five Yuans. In the Executive Yuan alone, there are as many as 35 ministries, councils and other agencies. This vast bureaucracy, however, provides the people with neither greater administrative efficiency nor higher living standards. The central government has all the power and money, and local governments have nothing.
Local autonomy exists only as an appearance.
Social welfare is not adequately provided for, there is a serious shortage of public facilities and the natural environment has been badly damaged. In general, the quality of life is quite low. People bear the heavy burden of supporting this collossus, but do not enjoy the convenience and services that a big government should provide. The main reason for this is the spurious belief that a bigger government is by definition a more capable government. People believe that a big government is by definition capable and that only a big government can solve the peoples' problems.