THE HONG KONG EXAMPLE

In: Journal of democracy, Band 9, Heft 4, S. 4-8

Abstract

THE 1998 HONG KONG ELECTION IS ARGUABLY AMONG THE MOST SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN COMMUNIST CHINA'S HISTORY. THIS ARTICLE ARGUES THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE WILL FIND IT MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO RULE HONG KONG IF HE KEEPS ON ACTING AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE. FURTHER, IT PREDICTS THAT CHINA'S COMMUNIST PARTY HAS A CHOICE TO MAKE: WHETHER TO HANG ON TO AN OUTDATED AND ILLEGITIMATE MODEL FOR POLITICAL CONTROL OF ITS PEOPLE, OR TO TAKE THE LEAD IN TRANSFORMING CHINA INTO A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.