'Business as usual': root cause of the Hong Kong criss

Abstract

“The economic development path favoured by mainstream politicians and economists is one of ‘business (and consumption) as usual’…” - (Jenkins, 1998, p. 151).

“Alongside a corporate economy seeking global hegemony, struggles for collective empowerment committed to this social project [expanding the rights of the civil society] will usher in the next millenium” - (Friedmann and Douglass, 1998, p.2).

Hong Kong has experienced the worst economic recession in its history since late 1997 with the onset of the Asian financial crisis. This paper, however, argues that the Hong Kong crises have much earlier origins. These include a speculative growth-oriented economy, a lack of competence in urban governance, and an unsustainable environment. Although the Government has responded speedily to the Asian financial crisis, the Administration has been slow to recognize the much more complex crises at home. This, perhaps, can be attributed to a strong sense of complacency and a “business as usual” mentality within the Administration, and a disengaged and disempowered community which has become insensitive to the looming crises.