13
In all, while there is no denying the politico-administrative
adeptness of the colonial government, the favorable factors which
converged in the aftermath of World War II account greatly for
effective colonial governance in Hong Kong in the post-War
period. Nevertheless, sustained development is bound to bring
about problems of various kinds, and the sudden emergence of the
1997 issue has substantially changed the situation faced by the
government. The conditions underlying effective governance have
eroded and the process of erosion continues unabated. The halcyon
days of the colonial government are over, and it finds itself in
a turbulent political environment. It is against such a
background that the problem of 'ungovernability' arises.14
Erosion of the Conditions for Effective Governance
Since the 1970s, socio-economic changes in Hong Kong have
gradually transformed the significant conditions which impinge
upon the relation between government and the people. The
implication of these changes is that the way Hong Kong is
governed has to be modified if effective governance is to be
maintained. In spite of the government's efforts to cope with the
changing situation through administrative reforms, expansion of
governmental functions and creating intermediary structures to
enlist popular support, only a moderate degree of success has
been achieved. Indeed, the increase in political demands from the
public and the rise in organized political activities geared to 14 See for example Hsin-chi Kuan, Hong Kong After the Basic Law (Victoria: The Institute for Research on Public Policy, 1990).