The Pro-democracy Movement: A Lost Decade?

Abstract

This article draws on statistical data on the political expectations of the Hong Kong population to evaluate democratic trends in the region after its return to China in 1997. In spite of the democratic awakening with the protest rallies of 2003, the prospects for Hong Kong's democratisation have lessened in recent years. This is primarily due to an inequitable electoral system and the absence of universal suffrage. The article's assessment also highlights ways in which the weakness of the pro-democracy movement stems from its inherent inadequacies, such as a lack of political recruitment, scarce financial resources and, above all, a lack of solidarity among democratic parties.