The nature of social services in Hong Kong

Examines the nature of social services in Hong Kong, arguing that the government regards social services mainly as a means of promoting capital accumulation & political legitimacy; it does not treat the promotion of social services as an end in itself. While the government devotes increasing amounts of money to social services, it prevents them from challenging the capitalist economy & authoritarian polity; it has established the prohibited areas of strong government, low direct tax rates, surplus budget policy & the dominance of economic over social policy. These prohibited areas show that, while the government does not closely follow the laissez-faire ideal, the private market & market value have important influence on the government's policy. 58 References. Adapted from the source document.