The electoral studies and the reform of the Japanese politics

Abstract

In 1980's the electoral studies of Japan changed from the prewar literaturebased study to the empirical studies. However, in the process of the development stereotyped researches have increased under the overwhelming influence of American methods and “ efficiency” to produce achievements was given priority over the importance of the theme choice and the relevance of the political reform. Such themes as (1) the electoral system reform of House of Councilors after the one of the House of Representatives, (2) problems of the bicameral system, (3) problems of local election, and (4) the relations of the assembly and the chief of the executive branch at the local levels are understated. Quantitative analysis of the voting behavior increases outlandishly. We should go ahead with the electoral study of “the piecemeal social engineering”, such as the electoral system study of Karl Popper more strongly. It is necessary to reexamine resource allocation in the electoral study.