tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805664.post7228236235378848435..comments2007-06-11T13:35:48.525+09:00Tobias Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05483833677342376445observingjapan@gmail.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805664.post-37781844117020312312007-06-11T11:54:00.000+09:002007-06-11T11:54:00.000+09:00A couple notes on Japanese liberalism:<BR/><BR/>1) I think this is Chalmers Johnson's theory, but the Occupation framed the internal Japanese political debate around alignment with the US. This made "Socialism" (and its pro-Soviet message) the obvious counterpoint to "Conservatism" (pro-US) and left no room for old fashion democratic liberalism in the middle. For a long time before that, however, Japanese intellectuals and artist types had an infatuation with Communism and Marxism to a degree that made "liberalism" look not sufficiently radical after the war.<BR/><BR/>2) The 60s New Left seems like it could have melted down into a softer liberalist movement, but the participants had figured out by the end of the 60s that their protests had absolutely zero impact on the democratic system. And once Asamasanso and the Lod Massacre happened in 72-73, all "Leftism" went on the outs.W. Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09065918073025392209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805664.post-46082102597861598422007-06-10T14:20:00.000+09:002007-06-10T14:20:00.000+09:00Nathan's book was one of the first I picked up when I started getting interested in this whole subject. It's an excellent read, and I hope you enjoy it.<BR/><BR/>-GarrettAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com