Re: [tlug] (OT) The enigma of Japan

[Martin Killmann <martin@example.com>]

On Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:49:43 +0900 
"Stephen J. Turnbull" <stephen@example.com> wrote:

> JC Helary writes:
> 
>  > My bias is that I don't consider Japan to be any more special than any  
>  > other nation state.
> 
> You don't think Article 9 of the Constitution is even a little bit
> unusual for a so-called "nation state"?  Or how about the nearly
> 60-year nearly unbroken rule by a single party?
> 

Of course it is unusual. So is the 2nd Amendment. Or being split in a
socialist and capitalist half. Or a succession of successful minority
governments. A double-layered federal structure by geography and
language. Vestiges of a caste society in a modern democracy. Stable
dynasty rule by an industrialist family. Separation of church and state
in a Muslim majority country. Having no constitution and outright
refusing to implement anything like it, relying entirely on case law.
Finally abolishing feudalism in the 21st century as the last place in
Europe.

Pick any country and add to the list.

Japan is unusual, but if you claim it is more unusual than other
countries you need to look closer at how diverse human societies are on
this planet.

Martin