Similarities Between Britain And Japan's Political Systems example essay topic

In 1900 Britain was in many respects the world's leading nation, enjoying a large share of world trade, a dominant position in the international money market, and possessing a far flung empire supported by the world's most powerful navy. Japan was a complete contrast, sharing with Britain only the fact that it too was a nation of Islands lying off the shore of a major continent. Until the 1860's it had possessed a social and economic structure more akin to that of feudal, rather than twentieth century, Europe. By the 1990's, the positions were almost reversed. This paper sets out to examine the contrasting democratic political systems of the two nations and to explore the social and democratic consequences of the changes that have occurred. The establishment of the Japanese archipelago assumed its present shape around 10,000 years ago.

Soon after the era known as the Jo mon period began and continued for about 8,000 years. Gradually they formed small communities and began to organize their lives communally. Japan can be said to have taken its first steps to nationhood in the Yamato period, which began at the end of the third century AD. During this period, the ancestors of the present Emperor began to bring a number of small estates under unified rule from their bases around what are now Nara and Osaka Prefectures. At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Tokugawa Ieyasu set up a government in Edo (now Tokyo) and the Edo period began.

The Tokugawa regime adopted an isolationist policy that lasted for more than 200 years, cutting off exchange with all countries except China and the Netherlands. The age of the Samurai came to and end with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, and a new system of government centered on the Emperor was set up. The new government promoted modernization, adopted Western political, social and economic systems, and stimulated industrial activity. The Diet was inaugurated, and the people began to enjoy limited participation in politics. From around 1920 a democratic movement gained strength.

However, amid a global economic crisis, the military came to the fore, and Japan eventually marched down the road to war. With the end of World War II in 1945 Japan put into effect a new Constitution, committed itself to becoming a peace-seeking democracy, and successful in relaunching its economy. In 1956, the nation's entry into the United Nations was approved. Since then, Japan has contributed to world peace and prosperity as a member of the international community. The establishments of the British monarchies were much different from Japan's. Britain is one of the few states that has never been conquered and reshaped by another government.

They have also never had a full-fledged revolution, ousting one regime and putting in place a totally different one. From 1066 to the eighteenth century British politics consisted of rule by the crown and the aristocracy. There was usually tension between the crown and the others. However, it was out of this tension that legal and representative institutions evolved which would later be picked up and adopted to democratic government.

Britain did however have one brief revolution. The British monarchy was overthrown by the Puritan Revolution in 1649, and from 1653 to 1658 Oliver Cromwell ruled Britain as a republic. Once again, the monarchy was restored in 1660. (Shively p. 107) One of the main factors that led to a constitutional monarch in Britain was Magna Carta.

This specified liberties for all free men so that all might be defended from royal whim. Certain taxes were not to be levied without the common consent of the kingdom, where representatives decisions were binding on all. Many of the Magna Carta's clauses dealt with feudal privileges of benefit only to the barons. Moreover, the charter was soon violated by King John, bringing a resumption of civil war.

Nonetheless, John's successor, Henry, reissued it, and by 1225, when it received its final form, it was accepted by all parties. It remains a major symbol of the supremacy of law. The establishment of the democratic political system in Japan came into force in 1947 when their constitution was made up. This was helped by American occupation there with a strong influence from General McArthur. It is based on three principles: sovereignty of the people, respect for fundamental human rights and pacifism. The similarities between Britain and Japan's political systems are very important to see in which way each undermines democracy.

To see this we need to look at the similarities but also their differences in each. Japan's similarities to Britain's system are that Parliament has two houses like Japan's system. There is a hereditary emperor as head of the state. Elections must be with in 4 years, there is a Prime Minister, which is elected by majority of the lower house in Japan. Their systems are very centralized, not federal, and there also is a strong bureaucracy. How Japan is different from Britain explains how each might undermine democracy.

Japan has a written constitution, which Britain does not. The Supreme Court has power to internet the constitution. This shows that Japan has 3 separate and independent institutions like the U.S. has. In Britain there is no judicial review, which undermines democracy. There is no one system watching over the other in Britain.

The final law is made by Parliament and they also make the final say. The party system is different in each democratic political system. Britain has a multi-party system where Japan does not. This undermines democracy here in Japan where there isn't much to choose from when elections come around. The idea of a one party system cuts right into democracy and what it stands for.

The potential sources that undermine democracy are different in each system. Britain on one hand has no judicial review. This cuts into the heart of the idea of freedom and making sure one part of the government doesn't go against the public. A two party system is important in democracy.

This is what Japan lacks and needs to get. There is some evidence that a multi-party system is emerging. Though until this happens which can't happen over night there will always be a source that undermines democracy. Over history many things have come into play in each political system. Britain, which has had democracy for much longer, has not made any steps for the future to improve it. While Japan formed their political system much later than Britain, they have quickly moved ahead of "the mother country" in applying liberal democratic institutions, gaining their own individuality in the development of political democracy.