Unintended experiment: capitalism and the history of education in colonial Hong Kong, 1842–1945

This paper explores the history of education in colonial Hong Kong, spanning from 1842 to 1945, within the context of capitalism and governance. Contrary to the prevailing narrative of Hong Kong as an experiment in laissez-faire, recent scholarship by economists and sociologists questioned the intent and outcomes of colonial governance in Hong Kong. While Hong Kong’s education system has been celebrated for its diversity and competition, this paper argues that it was an unintentional outgrowth, shaped by a lack of resources and administrative priorities. Drawing from primary sources and existing research, the paper aims to identify overarching trends and challenging assumptions about the golden age of laissez-faire capitalism in Hong Kong.