Patron-Client Politics and Elections in Hong Kong
Author | : Bruce Kam-kwan Kwong |
Publisher | : Routledge |
Total Pages | : 201 |
Release | : 2009-12-04 |
ISBN-10 | : 9781135229337 |
ISBN-13 | : 1135229333 |
Rating | : 4/5 (333 Downloads) |
Download or read book Patron-Client Politics and Elections in Hong Kong written by Bruce Kam-kwan Kwong and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2009-12-04 with total page 201 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The study of patron-client politics is new to the study of Hong Kong political science. This book examines whether patron-client relations are critical to the electoral victory of candidates; how the political elites cultivate support from clients in order to obtain more votes during local elections; and tests the extent to which whether patron-client relations are crucial in order for candidates to obtain more ballots during elections. Covering patron-client politics and public administration in Hong Kong; the electoral dynamics including the Chief Executive elections and the Legislative Council elections; the cooptation of key elites by using patron-client mechanism; the study of the committees and elites who have been politically co-opted; the appointment mechanisms that have played a crucial role in patron-clientelism; and finally the China factor in the entire processes and politics of patron-client politics. Bruce Kwong finds that the better candidates cultivate patron-client relations, the greater their chance of winning the election; and the smaller the size of the electoral constituency, the greater the impact of patron-client relations. Finally, the book stresses the role of Beijing as a powerful patron shaping the Hong Kong Chief Executive and the latter’s clients and analyzes the political implications and long-term consequences of patron-client politics in Hong Kong.