Taiwanese Column: Taiwan is a Nation of 'Policies from Above, Countermeasures from Below'

This article explores the phenomenon of 'policies from above, countermeasures from below' in Taiwanese society, taking the 2014 amendment to the Real Estate Price Registration law as an example. The author argues that the key to judging the sincerity of legislators in enacting laws lies in the penalties. The newly amended Land Administration Agent Act, which imposes fines of only NT$30,000 to $150,000 for false registration with a 7 to 15-day correction period, is viewed as too lenient. The piece satirizes land agents' quick pushback to return the reporting obligation to buyers and sellers, calling it 'The Counter-attack of the Big Lambs.' It reflects the reality that the gains from illegal activities always outweigh the costs of penalties, a situation also seen in food safety issues.