The Political Opposition and Democracy in Macao: Revolutionaries or Loyalists?

• Published in: Government and opposition (London) 2012-01, Vol.47 (1), p.97-116
• Main Authors: Wing-yat, Eilo Yu, Ka-man, Natalie Chin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Civil Society; Colonial history; Colonialism; Constitutions; Democracy; Democratic authority; Elites; Environmental Factors; Government; Government officials; Government reform; Loyalism; Macao; Macau; Majorities; Mass Media Effects; Media; Political campaigns; Political Change; Political conditions; Political elections; Political Opposition; Political reform; Reform; Revolutionaries
• ISSN: 0017-257X; 1477-7053
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-7053.2011.01356.x

This article examines the nature of political opposition in the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) to give us an understanding of its role in and approach to political reform in the territory. It explores the emergence of the pro-democracy opposition in Macao since the end of the colonial era and the self-perception of pro-democratic opposition groups in the MSAR regime, and argues that the majority of opposition groups perceive themselves as ‘loyal’ opponents to the current regime. The groups aim at checking the authorities in the scope of the constitution as loyal constituents. Their assumption of this role is the result of several environmental factors, including a relatively weak civil society, a lack of resources and a pro-government media.