What can Hong Kong learn from the French besides the 35-hour workweek?

Mr. Nicholas Sarkozy’s victory on the presidential election marks the beginning of a neoconservative era in France. The battle between the Mr. Sarkozy’s party and their socialist counterpart was of stark contrast with the earlier run between Mr. Donald Tsang and Mr. Alan Leung for the Hong Kong Chief Executive position—the speeches, the appearance, the political wisdom, and most important of all, the French actually had a ballot to cast and, for the matter, democracy.
To be fair, the make-believe HKCE election was both an entertaining show and an educating lesson of politics. While no one had any honest hope that his Beijing-appointed competitor would loose the fight, everyone was eager to see what kind of waves could be stirred up by Mr. Leung’s campaign and how the story was going to unfold. It was like watching one of those movies with a reverse chronological sequence: you already know the ending, but the essence of the show lies in the path of getting there.
DT’s campaign slogan, “I’ll get this job well done,” perhaps should have been appropriated by Mr. Leung as well. In retrospect, Mr. Leung’s success—pushing Mr. Tuang to actually answer questions and make promises—was good, but not good enough. Call me an idealist, but I believe that Mr. Leung should have resisted the temptation of fighting the battle for the top job and instead focus on mobilizing the mass. My speculation is that somewhere along the game he was convinced that he actually had a chance—albeit tiny—to win and he could not give up that strong desire to hold office, and power. Power, and the anticipation of it, is sweeter than honey on the lips especially when it is seemingly within reach. AL’s vision became short-sighted and his campaign vote-oriented. What was really needed is really a perspective that would allow Hong Kong people to question the current system and to elicit public interest to make changes. Instilling that fire in the heart of the masses was perhaps the biggest contribution Mr. Leung could have made; in effect, it was his “job”. If, and only if, the citizens realize how ridiculous it is to be told that we (as opposed to they) are not ready for democracy, that it is not best for us (again, as opposed to they), that democracy is not the most appropriate political system for Hong Kong, then maybe more July 1st like peaceful demonstrations will occur, more intellectuals would step up to lead the way and share their visions, that the government will start listening to the voices of the poor and powerless. Mr. Leung could have gotten the job well done.
Sunday night, after the results of the French presidential election was announced, the opponents of Mr. Sarkozy made their voice heard. True, they might be destructive (dozen of cars ignited) and ineffective (the result remains), but at least these actions reflect how valued the election was and how eager people are to speak up. At least the world knows that the French will keep their government checked.
While we lament the results of the French presidential election and grieve in advance the future of a conservative France, let’s not forget to praise their current mature state of democracy (multiple rounds of voting, power sharing between president and prime minister). Let’s not forget the various movements brought about by French grass root workers and students and intellectuals alike that helped change the way governments are formed and operated across the globe.
May we become snobs of not just French wine and cuisine but also connoisseurs of good citizenship, governance, and politics.

Christian Chan
Phuket, Thailand
May 8, 2007.