Protest Movements and Political Changes in ‘Managed Democracies’: A Study of Umbrella Movement, 2014 in Hong Kong

The second decade of the 21st century can truly be called an era of protests and social movements. These movements emerged equally in both democratic and non-democratic states. Hong Kong, the semi-autonomous region of China was jolted by one such movement called the Umbrella Movement. Though the movement had long historical roots, perhaps the immediate reason for its emergence was the controversy surrounding the election to the office of the Chief Executive. Tens of thousands of people occupied the central parts of the city center for more than two months. Though people bore all kinds of hardships and troubles but could not achieve anything at the end. This paper is about the causes for the emergence and ultimate failure of the Umbrella Movement, launched in the year 2014 to preserve the autonomous status of Hong Kong.