Opinion | In the end, democracy protests come to naught

Apathetic was a word bandied about a lot when I was a college student. Among the people I associated with on campus, being socially and politically active was obligatory; sitting back and letting others voice disapproval, scorned. When the government threatened to cut funding to tertiary institutions and introduce paid tuition, I joined my one and only street protest. Donning sombre clothing and shouting slogans, I was a pall-bearer in a mock funeral, "Free Education" daubed on the black coffin.

The effort was in vain. While I paid nothing for my higher education other than the price of books, subsequent students were less fortunate. It was inevitable, but the young think they can change the world and that authorities will listen to them. Until you get a stable job, become a taxpayer, have a family and are seen as a responsible citizen, not a lot of people - parents included - are likely to take you seriously.

But in Hong Kong's current environment, the same applies to anyone who is not pro-establishment. Pushing out the government and changing its policies was possible a decade ago, although not now; the split between those who back the powers-that-be and democrats is evenly balanced. Beijing has made clear who is boss, and while it is prone to overreacting to the minutiae of the democracy movement, it is in no mood to negotiate. Just how far it is willing to go to press its point is the big unknown.

The crowds of students and other protesters may well find out in the coming days and weeks. With National Day looming, protest season is in full swing, even though the marches and slogans, class boycotts and sit-ins, and other facets of the civil disobedience campaign are not going to make a difference. The mass demonstrations of recent years that managed to change the course of a government - in Egypt, Tunisia and Ukraine - did more harm than good. Taking to the streets has a place, but only in special cases - universal suffrage is not one of them.

Politics is a matter for politicians and our lawmakers have to negotiate the way forward. Consultations will be their guide - that is Beijing's preferred path. Universal suffrage is not a lost cause, just one that the central government is opposed to in its Western form. Defining what it should be and how that can be applied to Hong Kong is a matter of lobbying, convincing and time.

So what should idealistic students, younger generations and people passionate about democracy do? There are avenues other than the streets to make voices heard, social media being the most accessible. But not everyone is born to lead or fight causes; pushing for universal suffrage shouldn't be an all-consuming, time-wasting pursuit. There is life to be lived and that is where our passions are best directed.