Open AccessPursuing Democracy in an Authoritarian State: Protest and the Rule of Law in Hong Kong
Author(s) -
Tai Benny,
Veitch Scott,
Hualing Fu,
Cullen Richard
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
social and legal studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1461-7390
pISSN - 0964-6639
DOI - 10.1177/0964663919869725
Subject(s) - authoritarianism , rule of law , battle , democracy , law , china , communism , ideology , political science , state (computer science) , politics , chinese law , sociology , political economy , municipal law , common law , history , computer science , archaeology , algorithm
Hong Kong has been recognized for its well-established rule of law (ROL). After the Umbrella Movement in 2014, the Chinese Communist regime adjusted its strategy towards Hong Kong and closed the road to democracy. With the end of the era of semidemocracy, the governing system in Hong Kong is now going in an authoritarian direction. In this new era of semi-authoritarianism, Hong Kong’s ROL faces the most serious challenges. The meaning of the ROL is now being redefined by the Chinese Communist regime. Hong Kong is fighting a battle on the discourse of the ROL. The legal culture of Hong Kong people may not be strong enough to withstand such an ideological encroachment. The legal professionals in Hong Kong play a critical role in defending more advanced understandings of the ROL which is not just about maintaining social order and compliance with law but concerns constraints on arbitrary powers and protection of the civil and political rights of citizens. There are worries as well as hopes. One thing is sure, the battle will be long and tough.
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