In response to the stalemate over the critical issue of political reforms, some pro-democracy groups in the city are now making preparations to launch a new democracy movement. It represents a self-reflection and a commitment, and is therefore worthy of Hong Kong people's deliberation. The contributions of the local pro-democracy movement have been significant. At this stage, however, the pursuit of a genuine democratic system still faces daunting prospects. Many Hong Kong people understand that the Chinese leadership is unwilling to grant democracy to the city; they have been disheartened and overcome by a strong sense of political impotency. Undeniably, the pro-democracy movement is at a low ebb, and it is difficult to mobilise the community. At the same time, a substantial segment of the community feels that the pro-democracy movement has not paid adequate attention to livelihood issues. To them, democracy seems distant and even irrelevant. They feel the pressures of making ends meet and the contraction of opportunities for social mobility. The working poor and young graduates are probably the most frustrated. Advocates for the 'new democracy movement' realise the challenge and they want to promote the value of meaningful political participation. Political participation to them should not be limited just to the securing of universal suffrage for the election of the chief executive and that of the entire legislature, nor to the mobilisation for various elections. Their political demands are more comprehensive than those for a democratic political system, or for the resignations of the chief executive and some principal officials who have not been performing well. Moreover, they maintain, people should not count on a party or some political leaders. The new democracy movement aims for direct democracy: to realise one's value through actual participation and to gain a sense of pride and satisfaction. In recent years, the eager participation of many young activists in numerous heritage preservation campaigns is a good illustration of this participation. The more elderly activists in the pro-democracy movement, like their counterparts born in the 1980s and early 1990s, understand that the road to democracy in Hong Kong is long and winding. Their participation in the struggle is aimed at securing a meaning in life through the pursuit of higher ideals, and demonstrating some 'backbone' in a 'shoe-shining' atmosphere. The new democracy movement will focus not just on the political system, but on empowering people in other aspects affecting their daily life. Middle-class families spend their life savings on their accommodation, but real estate developers refuse to reveal the exact measurements of their flats. Working people make monthly contributions to their pension funds and various insurance schemes, but don't even know how much commissions and management fees they are paying. Supermarkets provide false information on discounts, yet escape sanction even after they've been exposed in media reports; worse, shoppers have no other options. No wonder many people are angry yet still find democracy irrelevant. The new democracy movement is far from seeking autonomy or independence. Beijing should feel reassured. In the process of decolonisation, Hong Kong people seek a new sense of belonging. In an 'economic city' where the emphasis is on making money, the community wants to shake off its sense of alienation and pursue meaning in life. The propaganda of the pro-Beijing united front warning Hong Kong people against politicisation exacerbates this sense of alienation: if anything, it has only encouraged the growing urge for meaningful participation. This cannot be a radical movement. Seeking a sense of belonging is a daily pursuit, in line with the Confucian appeal for a mission in life. Hong Kong people demand more meaningful participation than election campaigns and protest rallies. A decent sense of belonging and participation is the key to combatting alienation and polarisation; it contributes to long-term socio-political stability. Hopefully, the new democracy movement will offer an ideal to help shake Hong Kong people out of their political apathy. In the pursuit for meaningful participation, calls from the Tsang administration for political compromise appear insignificant and irrelevant. Joseph Cheng Yu-shek is a professor of political science at City University of Hong Kong
