Covert Colonialism: Governance, Surveillance and Political Culture in British Hong Kong, c. 1966-97

This book fills a gap in the existing scholarship by empirically studying colonial governance and political culture in Hong Kong from 1966 to 1997, using under-exploited archival and unofficial data. It addresses a contested and timely agenda, comparing colonialism in different spaces and times and post-colonial Hong Kong.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This groundbreaking book fills a significant gap in existing scholarship by undertaking an empirical exploration of colonial governance and political culture in Hong Kong from 1966 to 1997. By utilizing underutilized archival and unofficial data in both London and Hong Kong, it surpasses the limitations of the existing literature, which has primarily been written by political scientists and sociologists and has been predominantly theory-driven. The book addresses a highly contentious and timely agenda, one that has seen significant interventions from colonial historians. It delves into the nature of colonial governance and the autonomy of the colonial polity, topics that have been the subject of intense scrutiny. By focusing on colonialism and Chinese society in Hong Kong during a pivotal period, this book is poised to ignite meaningful discussions and spirited debates on comparisons between "colonialism in different spaces and times: between Hong Kong and other former British colonies; and between colonial and post-colonial Hong Kong."

This groundbreaking book fills a significant gap in existing scholarship by undertaking an empirical exploration of colonial governance and political culture in Hong Kong from 1966 to 1997. By utilizing underutilized archival and unofficial data in both London and Hong Kong, it surpasses the limitations of the existing literature, which has primarily been written by political scientists and sociologists and has been predominantly theory-driven. The book addresses a highly contentious and timely agenda, one that has seen significant interventions from colonial historians. It delves into the nature of colonial governance and the autonomy of the colonial polity, topics that have been the subject of intense scrutiny. By focusing on colonialism and Chinese society in Hong Kong during a pivotal period, this book is poised to ignite meaningful discussions and spirited debates on comparisons between "colonialism in different spaces and times: between Hong Kong and other former British colonies; and between colonial and post-colonial Hong Kong."

Weight: 606g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526158192