ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to depict the changing relationship between the state and social and popular movements in the late 1980s. It 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 chapter describes the new political situation in the 1980s and examines the response of the grassroots to the changing political structure. It highlights the different features of the economic and political context in the 1970s and 1980s. The post-war industrialization of Hong Kong started in the 1950s and reaped its rewards in the 1970s. The chapter argues that this change in the formal political structure led to changes in the nature of Hong Kong politics during the 1980s which were reflected in grassroots’ response to political reform originated by the Hong Kong government.
