19
defined a government who was willing to consult public opinion as
a democratic government.
The acceptance of the basic character of the political system
and the key existing public policies should not however be
exaggerated or automatically presumed for the future. There are
reasons to believe that even this crucial condition would
experience long-term erosion. The momentum of elective politics
would foster second thoughts about the existing system. The
decline in governmental authority and performance would diminish
public support for the political system. Public debates about the
appropriate types of political reform for Hong Kong and
alternative public policy agenda should have some pedagogical
effects, alerting people to the deficiencies of the existing
system and the inadequacies of current policies. Once the system
falters or public policies fail, people would be more prepared to
contemplate alternatives. As a result, consensus at present rests
on less solid foundation than in the past.
-
(5) The opening up of the political system and the imminent
termination of colonial rule have dealt the civil servants
particularly the Chinese civil servants - a severe blow. Being
largely anti-communist and too immersed in the British
administrative tradition, civil servants generally feel betrayed
by Britain. Though China is keen to woo them, civil servants by
18 See Lau Siu-kai, 'Institutions Without Leaders: The Hong Kong Chinese View of Political Leadership,' Pacific Affairs, Vol. 63, No. 2 (Summer 1990), pp. 191-209; and Lau Siu-kai and Kuan Hsin- chi, 'Public Attitude Toward Laissez Faire in Hong Kong,' Asian Survey, Vol. XXX, No. 8 (August 1990), pp. 766-81.