ABSTRACT

This chapter attempts to depict the changing relationship between the state and social and popular movements in the late 1980s. It delineates the changing political context in two stages namely the pre-democracy and the transition to democracy stages. The chapter examines the economic and political situation of Hong Kong in the pre-democratic stage, and highlights the changing economic structure, the increasing intervention of the government into the social life of Hong Kong people, and a new political integration mechanism between the government and the grassroots. The pre-democracy stage during the 1970s was characterized by rapid economic growth, an expansion of the middle class, and the dominance of the colonial government in the polity. The chapter also describes the new political situation in the 1980s and examines the response of the grassroots to the changing political structure. The importance of pressure groups and community groups in grassroots politics is highlighted.