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many people are lured by the suddenly brightened career
prospects, their support of the government and their opposition
to instability will be of help to the maintenance of
governability. Finally, even China is worried by the possibility
of breakdown of the colonial government. Simply for the sake of
self-interests, China would mostly likely come forth to help the
colonial government if it is caught in great difficulties.
Despite these ameliorating factors, still it can be
anticipated that the erosion of the conditions for effective
colonial governance will accelerate as 1997 approaches, and the
difficulties faced by it will continue to mount. Unlike
decolonization elsewhere, Britain does not enjoy the freedom to
quit Hong Kong in any time she deems convenient. The Sino-British
Joint Declaration has already fixed a date for her departure, and
for Britain to quit Hong Kong earlier than 1997 is unthinkable.
Therefore, Britain has no other choice than to strive to maintain
effective governance in Hong Kong in the remaining years before
1997, even though to do so is becoming increasingly difficult.
The maintenance of effective governance in the twilight of
colonial rule lies in the strengthening of political authority,
for the erosion of the favorable conditions for effective
colonial rule is in essence the direct or indirect erosion of
colonial authority. A critical condition for effective rule in
the last years of the transition is the establishment of a strong
political authority which can demand a certain level of respect
from the public, can formulate and implement public policies with
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