Every country has its own, deeply rooted wounds. In consequence, each also has its own desires, consciously or subconsciously. The return of Anson Chan Fang On-sang and Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee to Hong Kong's political scene is a case in point. Their reascension highlights Hongkongers' desire to reconcile the need for a more effective government - the sort we had in the past - with today's quest for democracy.
The Legislative Council by-election in December presents a golden opportunity for both women, whose political returns were only a matter of time. People have come to think that Mrs Chan could win any election, with or without Mrs Ip as her rival, and that Mrs Ip could beat any election opponent except Mrs Chan.
It would be naive to believe that these two high-profile women acted solely from the dictates of conscience. While conscience does matter, another factor is a careful calculation of electability. Mrs Chan and Mrs Ip are both highly electable compared to like-minded friends in their two camps - pan-democracy and pro-Beijing, respectively. That fact is a reflection of this city's yearnings.
Despite all their differences in politics and personality, the two women have one crucial thing in common: a shining track record in government. Their experience, knowledge and reputation as long-time government insiders gives them a strong appeal to the city's 160,000 civil servants and middle-class men and women.
There is a historical explanation for the great appeal of such experience. Electoral politics has been a fact of life for Hongkongers since the early 1980s. But it has yet to produce a government that seems strong. By all accounts, special administrative region governments pale in comparison to their colonial predecessors. Somewhat paradoxically, certain quarters of the community blame this on increased politicisation resulting from the introduction of popular elections. Still more attribute the governments' ineffectiveness to an unproductive, partial democracy.
The city thus faces a big dilemma. To strengthen citizens' power to scrutinise ineffective government, the city must go down the road of democracy. But more democracy means further politicisation: government would be hampered even more with an increasingly powerful Legco dragging behind it.