Why democracy in Hong Kong is the best choice for Beijing
Jack A. Goldstone says as discontent simmers, the only real choice for central government officials is which kind of democracy the city will get – peaceful and orderly, or tumultuous and chaotic
Democracy can be an orderly expression of public preferences to guide government in being responsible to the needs of citizens. Democracy can also be tumultuous chaos, with street protests, feuding factions in government, and repeated confrontations provoking extremist responses.
Officials in Beijing think of democracy in the latter terms, and like to think they can persuade Hong Kong to instead choose a more limited, guided form of government without a fully democratic contest for the chief executive.
Yet they are mistaken; the only real choice they have for Hong Kong is which kind of democracy they will get.
Hong Kong is a highly literate, educated, politically aware society with guarantees under the Basic Law for “freedom of speech, of the press and of publication; freedom of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration” (Article 27). The most complete acceptance of the “one country, two systems” principle will not change this.
Any such society is going to give rise to voices calling attention to social issues and problems. In Hong Kong, those issues include inequality, access to higher education, the availability of high-paying professional jobs for Hong Kong graduates, pensions for the elderly, air and water quality, the costs and quality of housing, the need to diversify the economy, and the management of mega construction projects such as the high-speed rail link to Guangzhou and the bridge to Macau.
In regard to all these issues, a society like that in Hong Kong is going to face public demands that the government institute policies that recognise these problems and develop solutions.