Abstract

Following the discussions of Giddens (1979, 1984) and Archer (1993), the dual discussions between agency/structure and culture/structure had been seen as the centrality context of analytical unit in a modern society. Whereas, the structure and the culture interweave and penetrate within the social-political system, as well as exist is relatively autonomous form one another. Furthermore, some culture theorists recognize culture as the means by which orderliness patterned relations are maintained in a society and they tend to be concerned with the symbolic that is social norms and values shared in the cognitive and active structure. This paper wants to argue and reexamine the claim of “cultural theory” which believes a theory of culture must create measures of culture that allow the space for the comparisons across time and space, and relative values to embed into social relations and institutions. In addition, this paper indicates the particular cultural factors and provides the power of explanation in the construction of policymaking circumstance and active system of social behavior. Overall, the cultural factor becomes a potential promoter in the process of policymaking. By the discussion of the articulation between Neo-Confucianism thought (top-down system) and the patriarchal system (bottom-up system), this paper provides why and how the articulation effects to formulate a strained potential control and structural shape different policy manipulations and interactive constructions in the policymaking process of Taiwan. The specific dual system constructs the transmission of cultural shadow to influence the policy outcomes.

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