Growing democracy in Japan : the parliamentary cabinet system since 1868 / Brian Woodall.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Woodall, Brian (Writer on Japanese politics)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cabinet system--Japan.

Cabinet system.

Legislative bodies--Japan--History.

Legislative bodies.

Democracy--Japan.

Democracy.

History.

Japan.

Japan--Politics and government--1868-.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

pages cm

Place of Publication:

Lexington, Kentucky : University Press of Kentucky, [2014]

Summary:

The Japanese government was widely criticized for its weak response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, and the nuclear crisis that followed. Although its constitution is modeled on Great Britain's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, Japan has failed to fully integrate the cabinet system into its government. As a result, Japan's executive branch has been ineffective in responding to the myriad challenges confronted by an. advanced postindustrial society. In Growing Democracy in Japans Brian Woodall compares Japan's cabinet system to those of other capitalist parliamentary democracies, particularly Great Britain. This meticulous examination of Japan's parliamentary cabinet offers lessons for reformers and those working to establish-democratic instructions in places such as Iraq Afghanistan and China and within the new regimes born during tire Arab Spring. At the very least, he argues, Japan's struggles with this fundamental component of parliamentary governance should serve as a cautionary tale for those who believe that growing democracy is easy. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction

2 The Anti-Westminsterian Roots of Japan's Parliamentary Cabinet System, 1868-1946

3 Comprador Cabinets and Democracy by the Sword, 1946-1955

4 Corporatist Cabinets and the Emergence of the "1955 System," 1955-1972

5 Confederate Cabinets and the Demise of the "1955 System," 1972-1993

6 Disjoined Cabinets - Act I

7 Disjoined Cabinets - Act II

8 Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780813145013

0813145015

9780813145020

0813145023

OCLC:

858901744