Download Understanding Critical Junctures in Japanese Politics: An Analysis of Institutional Change and more Papers Government and Politics of Asia in PDF only on Docsity! Ashley Shepherd September 1, 2008 Japanese Politics T/TH 9:30-10:45 Dr. Deborah Milly Writing Assignment 1: “Remoulding the Critical Junctures Approach,” is an article by John Hogan that discusses historical institutionalism, which is the choices that are made when an institution is formed, or policy initiated, that has a prominent influence over that particular policy. This change of institution dealing with a policy has divided history into “normal periods” and “critical junctures.” These historical periods of revolution are when a major change in policy is possible. Even critical junctures have remained unexamined, inadequately specified and the entire article pursues the necessity of a framework within which to identify these critical junctures. The characteristics of these junctures is determined and remodeled to involve what is previously lacked. This remoulding approach develops a new understanding of the concept and the possibility of change within the institution. The past is a key measure in this article because it examines and concedes to the present and future. Critical juncture usage can establish a continued period of reorientation. A general understanding is in fact the foundation of comparative historical research and development; it is also key to the critical junctures approach. Two separate elements are necessary for these junctures; the necessity for a general cleavage and that change itself must be swift and encompassing. Critical junctures have thus been proven to witness the successive creation of a robust set of institutions that is stability dependent upon other sources and not a path-dependent process. “The Politics of Path Dependency: Political Conflict in Historical Institutionalism,” is an article that also focused on historical institutionalism as well, but it does not include the reshaping of critical junctures. Unlike the previous article this theory of institutionalism carries an analytic notion of path dependency. Historical institutionalism conceives of public policymaking and political change as a discreet process that is described by long periods of stability. This in itself is referred to as “path dependency.” This theory provided insight into a new level; explaining that policy can be conceptualized not as continuous but discreet process. It puts our attention on dominant political projects, like the welfare state. This theory does posses a few inadequacies, such as the dichotomous perspective, retrospective rationality, the ability to properly conceptualize and account for political change and its inability to explain political and policy change. In conclusion this theory is reinforced with a belief of intellectual stance, along with an image of structural rigidity. ARTICLES: The articles I read were all in The Asahi Shimbun newspaper. The first article was on Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and his decision to resign as Liberal Democratic Party Leader. He has the Diet in a deadlock on key bills and he is resigning because he does not wish to create a political void in the divided Diet. Fukuda wishes to make it possible for the party to pursue policies with new administration. One key hold in his decisions was the bill to allow Maritime Self-Defense Force to continue its
