"Governance and Political System" Thematic Research Series
The affairs of the Legislative Council are closely related to the public. The advancement of information technology has also increased the public's attention to the affairs of the Legislative Council. In recent years, the public has had different evaluations and opinions on the overall operation of the Legislative Council. In the Legislative Council Chamber, in recent years, there has been an increase in filibustering, radical behavior, confusion in voting, and the confrontation between the executive and the legislature, which has brought considerable challenges to the governance of the SAR government.
As an important part of the political system, the Legislative Council has specific powers. How do young people respond to the functions and operations of the Legislative Council, as well as the parliamentary phenomenon that has emerged in recent years? How do young people view the relationship between individuals and the Legislative Council?
This study explores Hong Kong youth's views on the functions and operations of the Legislative Council, including their evaluation of the Legislative Council's performance and operation, as well as their perceptions of the relationship between individuals and the Legislative Council, and comprehensively analyzes the shortcomings in the operation of the Legislative Council in recent years. , hoping to explore feasible suggestions to improve the current situation from a forward-looking perspective.
This study collects relevant information through a random sampling of youth opinion surveys in Hong Kong, youth case interviews, and interviews with scholars and experts. The data collection work was carried out in April 2016. A total of 539 young people aged 18-34 were successfully interviewed for the Hong Kong Youth Opinion Survey; a total of 20 young people were interviewed for the youth case interviews; and 5 relevant persons were interviewed for the scholars and expert interviews.
Main results of the study
- The young people interviewed have a positive attitude towards the role of the Legislative Council, but their evaluation of the Legislative Council's performance in this regard is not favorable.
- The young people interviewed believe that the relationship between the executive and the legislative body is poor, and nearly half believe that all parties need to bear responsibility.
- The young people interviewed believe that the most desirable aspect of the Legislative Council is the diversity of voices, but the least favorable aspect is the lack of rational discussion. The young people interviewed have a low level of acceptance of radical behavior in the Legislative Council.
- The young people interviewed believe that the most important qualification for legislators is personal integrity, followed by thinking ability; in some cases, interviewees expect legislators to be cautious in speaking, using power and making decisions carefully.
- The young people interviewed have reservations about their trust in the Legislative Council and have less personal contact with the affairs of the Legislative Council on a daily basis.
Research main recommendations
- Rebuilding the parliamentary culture of rational discussion in the Legislative Council.
- Face up to the relationship between the executive and the legislative body.
- Strengthen the relationship between the Legislative Council and the public.
