TNAG-2217-FCO40-3184-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 98

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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).