Originally published: Tokyo, Iwanami Shoten, 2014. English edition published 2016. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
Foreword / by Yamaguchi Jiro -- 1. Should the aim be to prevent constitutional revision? : From a letter written four years ago -- The deep historical roots of anti-Japanese feeling in China -- 'Japan-China friendship' as an ongoing concern -- Do we want to have a pretend war? -- Can we fight for constitutionalism? -- The difference between 'cabinet politics' and 'politics based on the people' -- Should we rely on shifting public opinion? -- 2. Why was post-war pacifism defective? : Why the roots of 'peace' are shallow -- Who did Japan lose to? -- Japan remains outside the world of victorious nations -- 'Peace' in post-war democracy -- Turning point after the Cold War -- 3. Is there a political elite in Japan? : If an anti-system elite holds power -- The present Prime Minister is part of the anti-system elite -- Why does a rational elite not emerge? -- The rationale of breaking through popular consciousness -- 4. Is the Liberal Democratic Party really tough? : One aspect of conservatism : native conservatism -- A second aspect of conservatism : liberal conservatism -- The rallying of pre-war conservative forces -- The light and shade of the LDP pursuit of equality -- Scenario of a two-stage revolution -- Have they mixed up principle and policy? -- Strength and weakness of party adherence -- Is the Abe Government as firm as a rock? -- The possibility of liberalism plus social democracy -- 5. Why can't we tackle reduction in inequalities? : Why is social democracy weak in Japan? -- Differences brought about by war -- The 'age of the new middle class' also existed in the pre-war -- The problem of diversity and poverty has suddenly appeared -- Japan's modern history of samurai, peasants, artisans and merchants -- Why did the Democratic Party line of giving highest priority to welfare fail? -- The Japanese left wing likes small government -- 6. Where should Japan go from here? : How should we regard Abe politics? -- Freedom is dangerous -- A two-party system without social classes won't work -- Directionless Japan -- Japan-China friendship, and international co-operation, once again -- A society in which everybody can lead lives befitting human beings -- Problems of raising an elite that can oppose -- Afterword / by Banno Junji.
Summary:
"With an author's foreword written on the day that the Abe cabinet decided to 'revise the Japanese Constitution by reinterpretation' (Tuesday, 1 July 2014), this timely examination of Japan's post-war history by two leading historians committed to democratic politics is highly instructive and prompts serious reflection by anyone concerned with the future of Japan."--Dust jacket.
Series:
Renaissance Books Asia Pacific series, 2396-8877 ; volume 1
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.