OLUNEI
Discussion of principles
22
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40.
One of the main aims of the proposals in the
1984 White Paper was to develop progressively a system
which is able
of
government
F!
to
represent
authoritatively the views of the people of Hong Kong,
and which is more directly accountable to the people of
Hong Kong." This remains a guiding principle of the
present review.
41.
A system of direct elections to the central
institutions of
government, based on universal
franchise, is a means commonly used in democratic
systems, of ensuring that the views of people at all
levels of the community are fairly represented in the
process of policy-making at the highest level. If one
or more sectors of the population feel themselves to be
excluded entirely from the conduct of central
government
or, if not totally excluded, that their
views are not adequately represented in the making of
decisions which have profound effects on their daily
lives, there is the risk of dissatisfaction within the
community. This could have damaging results on long
term confidence in the system of government as a whole.
42.
Direct elections do not however necessarily
result in stable government.
election tends to encourage
The very process of
confrontation between
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