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A thread on three cool books that influenced the political take on display in my recent Dissent piece (link to the piece here
). [1/7] https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/shinzo-abe-and-the-future-of-japanese-democracy
). [1/7] https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/shinzo-abe-and-the-future-of-japanese-democracy
First, âHas Japan Shifted to the Right?â edited by Oguma Eiji and Higuchi Naoto. Tons to think about here, including nuanced analyses of historical polling data. (AFAIK these books are only available in Japanese at the moment) [2/7] https://www.keio-up.co.jp/np/isbn/9784766426946/
2 related contentions: (a) the apparent move to the right is really about the collapse of the left, and (b) media/political elites have undergone more movement to the right than the rest of the population, in line with a rightward move among traditionally lefty uni grads [3/7]
Since shift (b) has broad (hegemonic) effects, the takeaway for me is: the opposition urgently needs to return to power, and to do so should take advantage of a growing gap between right-tilting elites and the majority (visible in outrage at Mori Yoshiroâs sexist remarks) [4/7]
Second, thereâs Miharu Mitsukiâs book, blog, and tweets related to political strategy and opinion polling. Among other things, the book (âPublic Opinion Polling as a Weaponâ) is a great introduction to tactical voting. [5/7] https://www.chikumashobo.co.jp/product/9784480072214/
To facilitate it, the book includes a guide to decoding the opinion poll numbers behind political reporting. It also conveys an optimistic vision. The left opposition can win through effective coordination across oppositional party lines (not by always chasing the center) [6/7]
Finally, thereâs political scientist Mori Masatoshiâs books, I found âDemocracy Goes Astrayâ helpful for thinking about the DPJ and Abe eras together. Itâs an inspiring call to try to reflect on the big picture in a way conducive to further debate. [7/7] https://www.chikumashobo.co.jp/product/9784480068811/
Thereâs more! But this is all the threading I can muster for now. Thanks for reading. [8/7]
