The View | The Mong Kok riots are a wake up call about the widening wealth gap

Violent political confrontation is a new phenomenon in post-1997 Hong Kong.

It is the direct result of a new type of political actor that has growing appeal among youths and other alienated members in society – one that is more willing to use violence. This will lead to political realignments within and across democratic and establishment camps.

The rise of violent political confrontation in Hong Kong has three critical causes. First is the growing socioeconomic divide that has deepened anxiety, insecurity and conflict in day-to-day life.

Second is the government’s failure since 1997 to respond effectively to the new socioeconomic challenges and its refusal so far to reform the political system so the problems can be tackled.

Third is the rising influence of radical intellectual ideas that have led youths to view the socioeconomic divide and approach the political system with deep animosity and little patience. They see the system as morally bankrupt and the struggle to reform if not to overthrow it as regaining their human dignity.

These three critical causes cannot be addressed quickly so violent political confrontations will not cease, at least not for now.