Another Dynamics of Contention in Hong Kong: Dimensionality in Roll Call Voting in the 6th Term Legislative Council, 2016-2020

Abstract

To understand the current political landscape in Hong Kong, this paper investigates the dynamics of contention in the Legislative Council. A dimensional analysis of roll call voting presents that this formal representative body is heavily dominated by the main dimension of politics. Unlike the previous terms, its unidimensionality is generally applied both for the directly elected politicians and the representatives of functional constituencies. The marginal variation beyond the primary cleavage is mainly driven by the Liberal Party members, while other major parties, such as the Democratic Party and the DAB, are stick with the issues of democracy and Hong Kong-Beijing issue. Toward a better working collective decision-making body to address the problems and issues in Hong Kong, its elite politics is needed to be equipped with more room for collaboration and deliberation.

Keywords

• political cleavage
• legislative representation
• dimensionality
• roll call voting
• the legislative council
• hong kong