The Origins of Japan's Democratic Constitution

by Theodore McNelly

Overview

In The Origins of Japan's Democratic Constitution, Theodore McNelly describes and analyzes the American draft of Japan's postwar constitution, Japanese influences on the document, and its adoption by the Imperial Diet. Providing a general overview of the process of the enactment of the democratic constitution in Japan, McNelly then analyzes conflicts among rival Japanese groups, the effects of the war-ban provision on Japan's security, and General MacArthur's shifting views on the achievement of world peace. The Origins of Japan's Democratic Constitution addresses the argument regarding U.S. "imposition" of the constitution on Japan with emphasis on the origins of the "no-war, no-arms" clause as well as the ideological, strategic, and historical background of the clause. Written by a former member of MacArthur's staff in Tokyo, this book will be of interest to the general reader as well as specialists seeking hitherto unpublished information and interpretations of this significant historical event.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761816362
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	03/29/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.24(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Theodore McNelly is Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland in College Park and a former member of the Civil Intelligence Section of General MacArthur's headquarters in Tokyo.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 "Induced Revolution:" Policy and Process of Constitutional Reform in Occupied Japan Chapter 2 The Konoe Effort: International and Bureaucratic Politics Chapter 3 The "Constitutional Convention" in the Dai Ichi Building Chapter 4 The Role of Monarchy in the Political Modernization of Japan Chapter 5 General MacArthur and the Constitutional Disarmament of Japan Chapter 6 General MacArthur's Pacifism Chapter 7 Japan's Peace Constitution and World Politics Chapter 8 Appendix: Potsdam Proclamation and SCAP Draft Constitution

Editorial Reviews

Professor McNelly is best qualified by his long experience and eminent scholarship to deal with the subject of the Constitution of Japan (JC) with utmost expediency, by presenting a detailed analysis.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online - Klaus Schlichtmann

Professor McNelly is best qualified by his long experience and eminent scholarship to deal with the subject of the Constitution of Japan (JC) with utmost expediency, by presenting a detailed analysis.--Klaus Schlichtmann, Kiel University "H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online "

From the Publisher

Professor McNelly is best qualified by his long experience and eminent scholarship to deal with the subject of the Constitution of Japan (JC) with utmost expediency, by presenting a detailed analysis.
— Klaus Schlichtmann, Kiel University

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online