Introduction

The Umbrella Movement that erupted in Hong Kong in September 2014 undoubtedly marked a new political age for the polity. The colonial Hong Kong Governor was appointed by the British Crown, and the Legislative Council was not fully elected at the handover of the territory to China. The key factor in the new wave of global protest could also be seen in Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement with public distrust emanating from the failure to deliver on promises of reform. While the inspiration from global social movements is clear in the adoption of the tactics and narratives, the context that the Umbrella Movement grew out of also indicates some similarities. The economic conditions undoubtedly created fertile ground for the rise of the Umbrella Movement. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.