I've been writing this book for the past 3-1/2 years, and earlier this week I declared it done.
Now, I need to find a publisher.
Brief description: An analysis of the constitutional, political, economic, and institutional short-comings of Hong Kong’s ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, and how to begin the process of restoring the fortunes of a once great business and financial center.
Category: Hong Kong; China; current events
Audience: The primary audience is assumed to have a basic familiarity with Hong Kong and its transition from a British Crown Colony to the first Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The secondary audience will be university libraries and course reading lists, research institutions, think tanks, and government and diplomatic readers.
Purpose and need: The constraints imposed on political development by the Basic Law, interference by Mainland officials in the SAR’s internal affairs, and the structural limitations of an executive-led government have brought Hong Kong to the brink of being ungovernable. The Legislative Council periodically goes on strike, increasing numbers of young people are taking to the streets to express their dissatisfaction, and the ever-present threat of Mainland interference looms larger each year. Understanding the causes, and possible solutions to the current state of affairs requires examination of the roots of the present conflict and the interests of those encouraging their continuation.
Current interest: Since Mrs. Carrie Lam took office in early 2017, the crack-down on dissent has intensified, raising comment and concern in London, Washington, and among international pressure groups.
Competing works: Analysis of current Hong Kong politics in the English language tends to be highly academic. It is mainly to be found in university libraries and peer-reviewed scholarly journals that are only infrequently accessible to the educated lay reader. This work proposes to address that shortfall.
Proposed back cover copy: Twenty years after the Handover, the experimental “one country, two system” political arrangement is facing its greatest challenges. Street protests, legislative log jams, political disappearances, and open interference in Hong Kong’s internal affairs by Mainland officials are threatening to make the SAR ungovernable. Before a full-blown crisis dictates unpalatable responses, steps must be taken to redistribute power, revitalize the roles of the Chief Executive and Legislative Council, and rein in Beijing’s role in Hong Kong’s strictly domestic affairs.
Chapter outline:
Ch 1 Setting the scene
Ch 2 A series of unfortunate events
Ch 3 Governing constraints
Ch 4 What needs to be done
Ch 5 Policy options: taxes, land, and money
Ch 6 The future of Hong Kong
Acronyms and abbreviations
Significant events: a time line
Who’s Who
Political parties and other actors
Index
Endnotes
Now, I need to find a publisher.
Brief description: An analysis of the constitutional, political, economic, and institutional short-comings of Hong Kong’s ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, and how to begin the process of restoring the fortunes of a once great business and financial center.
Category: Hong Kong; China; current events
Audience: The primary audience is assumed to have a basic familiarity with Hong Kong and its transition from a British Crown Colony to the first Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The secondary audience will be university libraries and course reading lists, research institutions, think tanks, and government and diplomatic readers.
Purpose and need: The constraints imposed on political development by the Basic Law, interference by Mainland officials in the SAR’s internal affairs, and the structural limitations of an executive-led government have brought Hong Kong to the brink of being ungovernable. The Legislative Council periodically goes on strike, increasing numbers of young people are taking to the streets to express their dissatisfaction, and the ever-present threat of Mainland interference looms larger each year. Understanding the causes, and possible solutions to the current state of affairs requires examination of the roots of the present conflict and the interests of those encouraging their continuation.
Current interest: Since Mrs. Carrie Lam took office in early 2017, the crack-down on dissent has intensified, raising comment and concern in London, Washington, and among international pressure groups.
Competing works: Analysis of current Hong Kong politics in the English language tends to be highly academic. It is mainly to be found in university libraries and peer-reviewed scholarly journals that are only infrequently accessible to the educated lay reader. This work proposes to address that shortfall.
Proposed back cover copy: Twenty years after the Handover, the experimental “one country, two system” political arrangement is facing its greatest challenges. Street protests, legislative log jams, political disappearances, and open interference in Hong Kong’s internal affairs by Mainland officials are threatening to make the SAR ungovernable. Before a full-blown crisis dictates unpalatable responses, steps must be taken to redistribute power, revitalize the roles of the Chief Executive and Legislative Council, and rein in Beijing’s role in Hong Kong’s strictly domestic affairs.
Chapter outline:
Ch 1 Setting the scene
Ch 2 A series of unfortunate events
Ch 3 Governing constraints
Ch 4 What needs to be done
Ch 5 Policy options: taxes, land, and money
Ch 6 The future of Hong Kong
Acronyms and abbreviations
Significant events: a time line
Who’s Who
Political parties and other actors
Index
Endnotes
Comment