| Hong Kong society is often regarded as politically apathetic. Yet, throughout her history, Hong Kong has experienced periodic waves of social movement activity. Why have social movements emerge? How do they act and create new avenues for political participation? These issues raise questions regarding Hong Kong's political structure and the post 1997 SAR government. This study focuses on the role social movements play in the political reform process. While most studies emphasize Great Britain's, China's and even the Hong Kong government's role, this study presents and analyzes the activities of social movements, so that a clearer picture of civil society and political change "from below" emerges.;In sum, this study argues that while the Chinese and British governments dispute the pace of political reform, the Hong Kong people have been neglected in the process. And as a result, Hong Kong social movements play an essential role in raising the awareness of the aspirations of the people and bringing to light the voices from below.;The study integrates the literature on Hong Kong, civil society and social movements into a multi-dimensional framework to analyze social movement influence in Hong Kong politics. The study's three case studies: the independent labor, the nontraditional Christian Church, and the democracy movements are analyzed using the multidimensional framework. The study evaluates the forces that drive and sustain social movements, such as, the issues, constituency, movement organization and structure. It analyzes the timing of protest and collective actions, asserting that social movements take advantage of policy and regime change to act. The study makes a contribution to the understanding of the relationship between grassroots efforts and the development of civil society in bringing about an autonomous society. Moreover, the study advances the understanding of social movements and international politics in non-Western and developing societies. |
