Title
“Living in truth” versus realpolitik : limitations and potentials of the Umbrella Movement
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Inter-Asia Cultural Studies
Publication Date
2015
Volume
16
Issue
3
First Page
348
Last Page
366
Publisher
Routledge
Keywords
realpolitik, living in truth, Umbrella Movement, localism
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the social context in which the Umbrella Movement emerged in Hong Kong in 2014. It aims to analyze its limitation and transformative potential for Hong Kong. It attempts to review the changing socio-cultural dynamics in the past few years, with a focus on the notion of realpolitik that has significantly disrupted the processes of developing a public vision of an alternative society, as well as undermined people's mutual trust and right to non-conformity. In presenting our analysis, the authors attempt to think through the transformative potential of civil disobedience, drawing on Vaclav Havel's notion of “living in truth,” as a long-term project aimed at changing the predominant colonial mentality and cynical culture in the contemporary Hong Kong social context.
DOI
10.1080/14649373.2015.1069051
Print ISSN
14649373
E-ISSN
14698447
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2015 Taylor & Francis. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Hui, P.-K. & Lau, K.-C. (2015). “Living in truth” versus realpolitik: Limitations and potentials of the Umbrella Movement. Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, 16(3), 348–366. doi: 10.1080/14649373.2015.1069051
