The 2007 Chief Executive Elections in Hong Kong: Democratic Warm-Up or the Way towards Populist Authoritarianism

Abstract

In order to understand the prospects for further democratic development and the impact of the recent Chief Executive Elections in Hong Kong, this article analyses the Hong Kong election system. The investigation is complemented by recent survey research results on attitudes towards election system, democracy and government, before the most important events of the election process are summarized. The main conclusion is that prospects for full democracy in Hong Kong remain slim. However, certain mid- and long-term effects from the recent election campaign and the current unbalanced institutional configuration make renewed public pressure for democratisation a real possibility.