Expanding the analytical scope of tools for advancing representative bureaucracy: A comparative analysis of Hong Kong and Macau

Abstract

Studying the contexts and features of locally-relevant tools of representative bureaucracy (RB) adopted in Hong Kong and Macau during the decolonizing and post-colonial periods could contribute to the literature of RB originated from Western contexts. The study found that political contexts of societal pressure, decolonization, and power handover to China have been driving the choice of RB tools in two places. Political contexts also explained different and similar implementation paces and effects of RB tools in two places. The paper suggests that the analysis of RB shall not be limited to one or two passive RB tools that target government input but be expanded to include the choice and effects of RB tools that target government processes, output, and outcome. The expanded analytical scope of RB will be useful for post-colonial contexts where the colonial legacies often co-exist with unequal representation among groups, and where state capacity is often weak.