Comparative Politics

1
Comparative Politics

• Democratization processes in Germany and Japan
  following WWII

• PoliSci Department
• SUNY _at_ Stony Brook
• POL 103 (Section 2)
• Spring 2005
• Instructor Udi Sommer

2
General outline

• Democracy enforced from without
• Origins in American occupation
• Democratic experience prior to WWII
• Aggressors during WWII
• Reformed by USA
• Relations to current democratization processes
  worldwide

3
Japan before WWII

• Isolation from Europe
• Middle Ages
• 16th century
• Togukawa Shogunite
• Edo Period

4
Characteristics

• Agricultural
• Feudal
• Hierarchical
• Samurais
• Attitudes towards foreigners

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Opening to the West

• U.S. Navy (1853)
• Again in 1858
• Treaty of Peace and Amity
• Diplomatic relations with the West including USA
• Leading to the Meiji Constitution

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The Meiji constitution

• 1881 announcement
• A drafting committee
• Traveling all over the globe
• Abolition of feudalism
• Adopting western institutions (e.g. German
  institutions)
• Western legal system

7
The Meiji Constitution

• Quasi parliamentary constitutional government
• Modern education
• Modern economic system
• Military and industry
• A Controlled Revolution
• From isolation to a world power

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The Meiji constitution

• Assembly
• Emperor (HS, Sovereign)
• Structure of diet
• Elections restricted suffrage
• Elected PM appoints cabinet
• PM can be removed by parliament

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Characteristics of the constitution and
importation of foreign institutional technology

• Prussian military
• British navy
• Consequences in the form of miscommunication
  during WWII
• Special service ministers (like the German
  design)

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The Russo-Japanese War

• Ascendancy to international scene
• Conflicting imperial ambitions
• Small but strong and recently organized army
• Russians have little forces stationed in Asia
• US mediation
• No territorial gains
• Erosion of sentiments towards USA

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WWI and WWII

• Expand influence in Asia
• Expand territories
• Prosperity
• Japan as the superpower of the orient
• Movement towards democracy
• Breakdown of traditions
• Suffrage extended
• Freedom of press

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WWI and WWII

• Parties are formed
• Judiciary
• Democratic procedures
• Parliament increases power
• Modernization

13
Alienation of the army

• Economic pressure
• Political pressure
• Parliamentary government not well established yet
• Influential military leadership
• Ambiguity in constitution
• Army alienated
• Expansionist army becomes influential

14
Germany before WWII

• Principalities
• Religion
• Involvement of state
• Bismarck
• Military successes

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1871 Constitution

• Some democratic features
• Male suffrage
• Dominance of executive
• Kaiser
• Chancellor

16
Weimar Constitution

• 1871 constitution amended
• Parliamentary democracy
• Chancellor
• Role of army
• Proportional representation
• Origins of the name Weimar

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Weimar Constitution

• The Presidency
• The parliament
• Universal suffrage
• Individual rights
• Depression
• Unemployment
• 1930s

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The rise of Nazism

• 1933
• Reichstag fire
• Hitler ascends to power
• Fuhrer (HSHG)

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Common features

• Democracy during 1920s
• Political instability
• Institutional arrangement
• Economic depression
• Alienation
• Dictatorships (1930s)
• No party system
• Militaristic, fascist regime
• Total destruction as a result of WWII

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1945 1950 the occupation

• Initial attitudes
• Fear of the Soviet Union
• American occupation
• Economic reconstruction
• 4 Ds (denazification, decentralization,
  demilitarization, democratization)
• Impact of the Cold War

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Writing a new ConstitutionGermany

• Leaders from the Weimar Republic
• Experience with Democracy
• Schumacher
• Adenauer
• Double ballot
• Threshold
• Powerful premiership
• Stability constructive vote of no confidence

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Writing a new ConstitutionJapan

• Authors
• Incorporation of Meiji
• Elements of the Constitution
• Equal rights for women
• Land reform
• Unionization rights

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General discussion Democratization from without

• Religion
• Culture
• Mutual enemy
• Social cleavages
• Democratic tradition
• Leaders
• Pro/Anti-Americanism

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Why do some constitutions last more than others?

• Internal divisions
• Association with economic success
• Marshall Plan