Why and how has civic engagement emerged in the policy process of Hong Kong as an Asian semi-democratic state? This book attempts to answer this question through examining six cases that straddle diverse policy domains. It identifies three explanatory factors, namely, the profile of a policy domain, the structure of societal interest, and the strength of the civil society sector as important in shaping the state's strategy in managing society, hence its propensity to engage. These factors affect the outcome through dynamic interaction between the state and societal actors. The findings outlined in the book show that the development of civic engagement in Hong Kong consists of both society-led and state-led cases. Society-led development brought about a high degree of openness and inclusiveness, whereas state-led civic engagement practices tended to be tactics utilized by the state for appeasing or depoliticizing civil society. Compared with other Asian regimes, the use of 'transgressive contention' as a way to compel the state to engage society is a feature that stands out in the liberal autocratic regime in Hong Kong.

Why and how has civic engagement emerged in the policy process of Hong Kong as an Asian semi-democratic state? This book attempts to answer this question through examining six cases that straddle diverse policy domains. It identifies three explanatory factors, namely, the profile of a policy domain, the structure of societal interest, and the strength of the civil society sector as important in shaping the state's strategy in managing society, hence its propensity to engage. These factors affect the outcome through dynamic interaction between the state and societal actors. The findings outlined in the book show that the development of civic engagement in Hong Kong consists of both society-led and state-led cases. Society-led development brought about a high degree of openness and inclusiveness, whereas state-led civic engagement practices tended to be tactics utilized by the state for appeasing or depoliticizing civil society. Compared with other Asian regimes, the use of 'transgressive contention' as a way to compel the state to engage society is a feature that stands out in the liberal autocratic regime in Hong Kong.

The 1980s and 1990s represent a critical historical juncture for Hong Kong, as it underwent important social, political, and economic transformations. This period of transition, during which the state worked to redefine itself, significantly altered the role and status of Hong Kong women. Colonial modernity, which arose through the integration of the colonial state, the capitalist economy, and the Hong Kong Chinese society, proved favorable for some women but also had adverse consequences for others. It constructed women of different class interests and shaped the gendered citizenship of its colonial subjects. Gender and Change in Hong Kong analyzes women's changing identities and agencies amidst the complex interaction of three important forces, namely, globalization, postcolonialism, and Chinese patriarchy. The chapters examine the issues from a number of perspectives to consider legal changes, political participation, the situation of working-class and professional women, sexuality, religion, and international migration. This incisive volume offers sophisticated theoretical discussions and original empirical findings, and will appeal to a wide range of scholars and students in gender and women's studies, postcolonialism, globalization, and Asian studies. Contributors: Stephen Wing-Kai Chiu, Lisa Fischler, Ching-Kwan Lee, Eliza W. Y. Lee, Carole J. Petersen, Siumi Maria Tam, Wai-Ching Wong, Ka-Ming Wu.