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

[Doug McLean <dmclean635@example.com>]

On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:23 AM, JC Helary<brandelune@example.com> wrote:
>
> On mercredi 10 juin 09, at 17:54, Doug McLean wrote:
>
>> As a first-world, industrialized country, one could definitely argue
>> its unique among first-world, industrialized countries (since the
>> rest are all Western,
>> non-Asian/Confucian).
>
> The 60 years long one party rule that Stephen mentions earlier is only
> a proof of that. The violent red purges that took place here in the
> 50', the violent reaction against movements that questioned the US-JA
> "security treaty" in the 60'~70' etc, everything shows that what is
> the extend of the US grip on regional politics.

It should be noted that "Red Purges" in Japan occurred during the
Meiji Period as well.  This was long before the US Occupation.  As
Japan industrialized, various leftist groups, anarchists, communists,
and leftist Buddhist groups were targeted.  Japan's constitution and
mode of government during this time were heavily borrowed from the
Prussian Constitution[1], rather than US influence.

-- 
Doug McLean

Blog: http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/

[1] - Prussia, historically, was a brutal government too by the
standards of day.