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The umbrella movement in Hong Kong: When economic insecurity produces democratic demands
Author(s)
Date Issued
2019
Journal
ISSN
2275-2145
Citation
Transformations sociales en Asie, 2019, vol. 104.
Description
Open access
Type
Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Abstract
People often correlate Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement in 2014 with its younger Generation's demand for democracy. An investigation into the origins of the Movement revealed however that this is an incomplete assessment. More precisely, the fact that the protesters also demanded (more) equal economic opportunities calls for a closer analysis of Hong Kong's economic system. This article analyzes this system and shows that over the years, it has generated much inequality. In particular, young people with more formal education have not benefited much from economic growth, as their salaries have mostly stagnated during the period since the handover and social mobility is at a low point thanks to globalization and the growing Chinese influence on Hong Kong's economy. In addition, oligopolies have created rents, further reinforcing inequality.
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