| JAPAN'S POLITICAL SYSTEM |
General Characteristics of Agricultural, Industrial, and Information Age Political Systems
- Agricultural Age Political Systems: During this age Japan was ruled by a succession of monarchs. The common citizen had no property or human rights. Everything individuals did was in the name of or for the ruling family. Japan at this time was under a dictatorship which wasn't as oppressive as some off the western nations. However it was effective enough to keep the average citizen too afraid to try to change the status quo. The only time change occured was when another powerful family overthrough the existing ruling family.
- Industrial Age Political Systems: This age saw political structure come to Japan. In the form of a new governmental system rather than an monarch. Japan's economy grew during this period realized there had to be a better way of managing their influx of capital. The Japanese also adapted there Constitution in this period.
- Information Age Political Systems: In this age the Japanese developed there persent system of government. It is best described as a Parilmentary Democracy, because it is a conbination of the U.K. system and the U.S. system. This system guaranteed representation, the right to vote, and indidvdidual rights to all men and women over the age of 20.
Information/Data on Japan's Political System
There are two main political parties in Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party, which is the conservative party in Japan, and the Socialist Party. The Liberal Democratic Party has been the ruling party for over three decades. The Japanese government is divided into three branches, the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial.
Conclusions on Japan (Whether Primarily Agricultural, Industrial, or Information Age Re: Its Political System)
In conclusion Japan is primarily an information nation because of their political system of representive Democracy. However the Japanese government is not perfect they have suffered some disgrace from a few corrupt officials. Japanese government has withstood it's hard times and they are looking forward to continued success in politices, economics, and life.(Type of Political System). Political Structure Constitution Written during the American occupation . Impacts :
- Emperor is symbol of state but not divine
- Parliamentary system established
- Peace clause (art. 9)
Diet
- House of Representatives—300 members from 130 single member districts; 200 from PR. 4 year term.
House of Councillors—252 members. 60% from districts (some multi-member); 40% from PR. 6 year terms, staggered.
Cabinet
- elected by Diet from own members. Lower House is dominant. Can be removed through no-confidence vote. PM can dissolve Lower House for new elections.
Judiciary
- independent and unitary. Supreme Court can serve for life subject to referenda. Supreme Court provides list of nominees for lower courts to Cabinet. Lower court appointments are for renewable 10 year terms.
Local Governance
- prefectures and municipalities. Direct election. Some autonomy, despite unitary nature of state.
Electoral System
The older electoral system for the House of Representatives worked to the benefit of the LDP. It involved districts where up to six candidates could be elected , but each person only had one vote. The LDP could alsways field the maximum number of candidates and since it was the ruling party, it could distribute patronage which would assist its candidates. Campaign limits also favored incumbents. Parties
Systems
1952-60 Polarized system –two major parties/groups Conservative (LDP) and Socialist (JSP). Socialists as defenders of Constitution while conservatives wanted to increase role of emperor, abolish peace clause, etc.) 1960-73 LDP Dominance. Characterized by higher growth rates, the fragmentation of opposition parties, and the moderation of the LDP. While many younger voters preferred the policies of the left, the fragmentation of the opposition left the LDP as the clearly dominant party. 1973-86 Electoral Challenges. While the LDP remained dominant during this period, it became clear that it was vulnerable due to changing attitudes within the society. Economic success created a new agenda of issues which the traditional LDP pow erbase had could not agree on. The LDP remained in power largely due to the failures of the left to coalesce, the moderation of the LDP on some high profile issues, and an electoral system that overstated the support for the LDP. 1986-Present. Realignment. As the LDP became discredited through various corruption scandals, LDP members withdrew from the party and established several other parties. This fragmentation of the party system resulted in several short-lived gove rning coalitions, including Socialist-led governments. It also allowed for reform of the electoral system.
Organization Most Japanese parties employ some form of patronage relations. This was particularly noticeable with the LDP. The LDP was also characterized by factionalism, yet by strong party discipline. Most Japanese parties focus on the national rather than local level of organization. Many were also directly related to various unions. Parties
- LDP
- Social Democratic Party of Japan
- Democratic Party of Japan (the major opposition party after the 2000 elections)
- Japanese Communist Party
- New Komeito Party
- Other
Recruitment The traditional Japanese election system pitted members of the LDP against each other; this resulted in frequent episodes of pork barrel politics. Candidates created their own organizations separate from the party. These organizations developed a life of their own and frequently they would recruit candidates for the Diet when leaders retired or died. The LDP promoted members to the ministerial level based on seniority. Obviously this has changed with non-LDP governments. The Party leadership within the LDP was determined by negotiation and competition between the major factions. But each LDP Prime Minister was to serve a limited term. |
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