TNAG-2217-FCO40-3184-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 104

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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.