Value dynamics in support to social movement: Hong Kong civil servants in the anti-extradition bill movement
Social Transformations in Chinese Societies
ISSN: 1871-2673
Article publication date: 9 February 2022
Issue publication date: 20 September 2022
Abstract
Purpose
In 2019, civil servants in Hong Kong publicly protested against their government as part of the anti-extradition bill movement. This study aims to understand how civil servants formed their support to the movement despite a deep-rooted bureaucratic culture. The authors argue that moral values (e.g. impartiality and integrity) and aspirations to liberal democracy are powerful motivations that override bureaucratic values (e.g. political neutrality and political loyalty) in the context of social movement.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a protest on-site survey (n = 277), this study analyzes the relationship between civil servants’ value orientations and their political demands and actions.
Findings
Regression analyses show that civil servants’ consideration of moral values relates positively to support to investigative demands, while a more liberal orientation predicts greater support to consequential demands and action intentions. A moderation effect is found in which greater consideration of moral values attenuates the negative effect of bureaucratic values on the support to both types of demands. In addition, the two types of values interact with each other to influence support to consequential demands, which, in turn, predicts willingness to further political actions.
Originality/value
This study seizes a valuable opportunity to examine the political participation of civil servants in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong and the civil service system face tightening authoritarian controls, the findings shed light on the dynamics of moral values, bureaucratic values and liberal orientation in motivating resistance among civil servants.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Professor Chi Kit Chan and Professor Gary Tang for inviting the submission of this manuscript. Authors are grateful to Professor Francis Lee, who has given them valuable insights in their data collection process. Authors would also like to thank two anonymous reviewers, whose comments have greatly improved their manuscript.
Funding and disclosure statement: This research is self-funded by the authors. There is no potential conflict of interest to be reported from the authors.
Citation
Tse, H. and Mak, M.K.F. (2022), "Value dynamics in support to social movement: Hong Kong civil servants in the anti-extradition bill movement", Social Transformations in Chinese Societies, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 137-153. https://doi.org/10.1108/STICS-04-2021-0007
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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