HONG KONG: Lord of the Flies, William Goldings classic novel of societal breakdown, is part of the standard high school curriculum in Hong Kong.
But today everyone in this most genteel of cities is witnessing a real-life lesson in the fragility of what we call civilisation, as the territory descends into tribalism and scenes of obscene violence.
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HORRIFIC EVENTS
On Friday (Nov 8), the protest movement that began in early June saw its first fatality when a 22-year-old student protester died after falling from a car park near a police clearance operation.
His death prompted an orgy of violence over the weekend and into Monday, when a policeman was filmed shooting a protester with live ammunition and the city was again brought to a standstill by mass violent protests.
In one horrific incident, a man who had earlier been involved in scuffles with demonstrators was doused in flammable liquid and set alight.
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SEE: In photos: Hong Kong university campuses burn as student protesters battle police
One of the most troubling aspects of the current unrest is the tendency of large groups of protesters to turn on people they suspect are undercover police or spies from mainland China and beat them to a pulp.
This has happened on scores of occasions, sometimes after the victims instigated a quarrel but, in a few instances, when the victim has apparently done little more than speak Mandarin within earshot of protesters.
This despicable behaviour seriously undermines the protesters cause. But it has been under-covered in the international media, and only sparingly acknowledged by protesters, because it does not fit neatly into the narrative of people fighting for noble causes.
READ: Commentary: Is there a way forward in Hong Kong?
ACCEPTANCE OF VIOLENCE
Perhaps most surprising has been the publics willingness to accept and excuse the increasing violence.
The proportion of Hong Kong people who strongly agree the protests should remain peaceful has dropped from 65 per cent in June to 46 per cent by mid-October.
In answer to a separate question, more than 59 per cent of Hong Kongers now say they “understand” the need for more radical action if peaceful protests fail.
The same deterioration in norms is glaringly evident in the actions of the Hong Kong Police Force, which was once considered the finest in Asia, if not the world, and whose slogan is to “serve with pride and care”.
Today, they openly refer to Hong Kong citizens as “cockroaches” and “trash”. Protesters respond by calling them “dogs”.
GROWING DISTRUST
Examples of police double standards when it comes to dealing with pro- and anti-government protesters are too numerous to count.
Members of criminal triad groups who attack anti-government protesters seem to have been dealt with incredibly leniently, while anyone who looks like they might be a protester is at risk of being beaten unconscious.
As a result, the latest opinion polls show 52 per cent of Hong Kong people have zero trust in the police.
At the start of the troubles five months ago, the professionalism and restraint of the police were striking. There are still many decent officers but increasingly rough tactics and contempt for the general public are now the norm.
