Deliberative Democracy in Hong Kong

Excerpt from Separation of Powers and Deliberative Democracy, in Ron Levy, Hoi Kong, Graeme Orr and Jeff King (eds.) "The Cambridge Handbook of Deliberative Constitutionalism" (Cambridge University Press, 2018) at pages 113-124

6 Pages Posted: 25 Jul 2018

See all articles by Dr Danny Gittings

Dr Danny Gittings

University of Hong Kong, School of Professional and Continuing Education; The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law

Date Written: July 8, 2017

Abstract

This paper argues that deliberative democracy in Hong Kong faces a number of structural and political obstacles, which impede both inter-branch dialogue between the executive and legislature and the role that political parties commonly play in fostering public deliberation on a wide range of policy issues.

Nonetheless it argues that a well established process of deliberation through official advisory committees does satisfy at least some of the generally recognised criteria for deliberative democracy. That process has numerous shortcomings, especially the process of "elite co-option" which sees these bodies dominated by appointees from a narrow pool of friendly business figures and other professionals.

The Hong Kong experience thus suggests that some form of deliberative process, capable of reaching consensus on at least some decisions of importance to the community as a whole, can survive even under the most adverse circumstances.

Keywords: Deliberation, Democracy, Non-Democratic Regimes, Political Parties

JEL Classification: K

Suggested Citation

Gittings, Dr Danny, Deliberative Democracy in Hong Kong (July 8, 2017). Excerpt from Separation of Powers and Deliberative Democracy, in Ron Levy, Hoi Kong, Graeme Orr and Jeff King (eds.) "The Cambridge Handbook of Deliberative Constitutionalism" (Cambridge University Press, 2018) at pages 113-124, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3195742

Dr Danny Gittings (Contact Author)

University of Hong Kong, School of Professional and Continuing Education ( email )

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The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law ( email )

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