TNAG-2119-FCO40-3025-Future-of-Hong-Kong-general-1990 — Page 52

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(6) Depoliticization of society. The preclusion of the option

of independence means that the colonial government was immune

from overthrow by its subjects. It thus constitutes a solid

foundation for effective governance. It is however not a

sufficient condition, for the government can still be incessantly

challenged by different political forces in society for a variety

of reasons. Hong Kong as a depoliticized society nevertheless was

not capable of mounting prolonged and organized political actions

against the government, even if there were pervasive popular

discontent and grievances.

The Chinese community in Hong Kong was basically atomistic,

comprising numerous loosely interrelated familial groups and

their extensions. Strong 'national' political and social

organizations capable of mass mobilization were non-existent. The

low level of social and political organization of Hong Kong

reflected its basic character as a society made up of recent

immigrants from China who had fled their homeland to submit

themselves voluntarily to colonial rule. These people had low

political aspirations and were deferential to political

authority. As they could resort to social ties to take care of

their needs, their reliance on the government was correspondingly

reduced, thus further reinforcing their apolitical or even anti-

political tendencies.

The colonial government also contributed to the

depoliticization of society by its abstention from involvement in

9 See Lau and Kuan, The Ethos, p. 84.