Policymaking can be more people-oriented

Source:Global Times Published: 2015-5-18 0:08:05

Lin Shui, a county under the jurisdiction of Guang'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, saw a large protest on its streets Saturday. Demonstrators waved banners with slogans such as "The million-strong Lin Shui needs development too," demanding a proposed railway pass through this county. Video clips show that some angry protesters engaged in conflicts with riot police, and there are rumors that some were injured or even killed in the demonstration. Local authorities have not confirmed these rumors.

The railway, which goes from Dazhou, a city in northeastern Sichuan, to Chongqing, has two proposals on the table. The major difference is that the first proposal runs the railway through Lin Shui, and the second one through Guang'an, a district shares the same name with the city that administers both areas. Recently, the city administration announced their support for the second proposal, which triggered the uproar in Lin Shui.

Railways have played a vitally important role in regional development. Most Chinese are well aware of how many opportunities railways can bring to them. For a small county, being connected to the railway network is an indicator of potential for growth.

As civil society is taking shape with more Chinese willing to fight for their rights, this controversial railway arrangement concerns substantial interests of two counties. It is understandable that their citizens have expressed strong and even violent desire for the railway.

The last year has witnessed an increasing number of similar cases. Mass incidents sparked by conflicts of vested interests are sprawling. Be they appeals for high-speed railways or a series of not-in-my-backyard protests against chemical plants, the administration's capacity for governance faces new challenges.

However, persuasion and law enforcement is losing its power. The key to real solutions lies in effective policymaking.

For example, when Lin Shui and Guang'an had a disagreement, the municipal administration should have put forward a widely representative and convincing policymaking process, which can put all concerns and appeals into consideration.

At last, the decision should be made by a panel of independent and authoritative scientists and experts.

Only a scientific and democratic policymaking process can balance such conflicts of interests.

Some local governments have not promptly responded to people's demands. Fearing protests, some grass-roots officials chose to compromise, which has encouraged the trend of using protests.

This vicious circle could have been avoided if officials had guaranteed people's right to know and right to be involved in the first place. The rule of law will only end up futile if expediency prevails.



Posted in: Editorial

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