Can the success in rebuilding Japan be duplicated?
In continuation of our class activity, please give your opinion. Can Iraq be rebuilt as successfully as Japan was? Or was Japan a unique case? Or is the truth somewhere in between?
posted by Mr. Hess at 5/01/2006 07:58:00 AM
47 Comments:
The rebuilding of Japan cannot be duplicated, especially in Iraq. This is because Japan, previous to its fall after losing WWII, had the desire to become a world power and be sucessful. Iraq has never shown the intent of becoming stronger. Also, the unity in Japan, with everyone following the same religion and having such nationalism, helped it grow. Many countries don't have this unity or nationalism. Finally, the Japanese had the attitude that was right for their goal. They wanted to learn from the US so they could become like us. The Iraqis just want us out of their country.
I think that given the circumstances, the success that was seen in Japan cannot be duplicated unless the conditions of whatever country, in this case Iraq, were more similar to that of Japan after World War II. As we discussed in class, Japan has always had a strong sense of nationalism, so strong that during World War II, innocent civilians were willing to kill themselves so as to not be caputered by the "evil" American forces. They have been united by one religion for the most part, while elsewhere religion is a dividing factor. The Japanese people wanted to make their home the best it could possibly be, and because of this desire they were willing to take any chances to do so. In these aspects, Japan was unique in this change. And I hope that this same success could be repeated, but I personally doubt it will be any time soon.
History can never be "duplicated." In studying the histories of both Iraq and Japan, we understand that each nation has experienced very different histories. However, simply because we cannot re-create the conditions that existed in Japan previous to capitalism and democracy, does not mean that those systems are out of reach for countries such as Iraq. If it was a requirement for nations to have histories that mirrored that of Japan, no country would have a hope of ever adopting a democratic system; it is simply ridiculous to assume that histories must be identical for the same end result.
However, I do recognize that a certain groundwork must be layed before either democracy or capitalism can thrive. At this moment in history, Iraq lacks many of the essentials for such systems, one of which is a significant middle class. However, Iraq does have the drive and the motivation to set up a democracy; which in my opinion, is half the battle.
The history of Iraq can become a fairly accurate duplication of that of Japan. Sure, history cannot be replicated to the utmost extent, but there are always some evident patterns of development evident in history. The main factor that will help in this duplication is the United States. We are one of the only constants in both situations. When Japan was rebuilt, we were the main catalyst. This is true for Iraq as well. This is because, in both instances, we are a main world force with the power to mold certain countries. We have a habit of taking countries under our wing, trying to make them more like us. Whether a country likes it or not, they become the way we want them to become. Japan was made into a more capitalist society that adopted some of its morals from America. This will happen in Iraq too, mainly because America(Bush) will force it, ignorant of the desires of the native people.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
The rebuilding of Iraq may not show the same success that Japan did, but even better success. First of all, the country who is supporting them is the greatest country on the face of the earth, The United States of America. Secondly, the potential that Iraq has in astronomical. Nothing in this world ever occurs twice exacly the same way which is common knowledge. Using Mr. Kanflec's example of Iraq, currently it's an unfinished room that is about to have the primer put on and the masterpiece created which is soon to come. Patience is a virtue.
The rebuilding of Japan cannot be duplicated. Although the U.S. plays the same role in both countries, the result would not be identical. No event in history has ever been identically duplicated. Japan was a special case because of many factors. The island country was very isolated during the Shogunate period. Iraq, on the other hand, is surrounded by other countries such as Iran and Afghanistan. Also, Japan had a desire to become a world power. It had thrived before WWII and rebuilt their economy after their defeat. Iraq has never been a world power, and does not posess a will to become one like the Japanese did. To establish a democracy in Iraq, it would take more effort than Japan. It would take a much longer period of time due to the lack of techonological advances that the Japanese retain. Because Japan and Iraq are two very different countries, the rebuilding of Iraq would differ from the rebuilding of Japan.
Ok, the question asks if the situation can be duplicated not cloned. Yes, it can, in terms of relative success. Yes Iraq can be set-up as a successful oil-based economy country. No, it will not be a manufacturing giant like Japan, but its location does put Iraq in a good position for success. No Iraq will not be a true democracy. Eventually, Iraq will probably only allow voting to Islamic men if allowed without U.S. intervention. It will still be democratic. No, Iraq will not be as peaceful towards the United States as Japan, but Iraq will probably still allow the U.S. to maintain a military base there.
Japan cannot be cloned in Iraq, but it can be relatively duplicated to achieve the same success.
Sorry, that last post was WILLH2
For the most part, I agree with the first 3 comments. Japan was an unique situation. Japan like many comments have said have a uniting religion. Even though, it is not the official religion in Japan, Shinto was the uniting factor. It gave the leaders divine rule. While in Iraq there is competition and dividing factors with the religion and ethic groups there. Also, the willness to adjust and accept the United States help is what sets Japan apart. Another reason is because the United States put the Emperor make into the head of government. Even though, he was no longer the emperor and it was a more democratic society. There was no real change in government leaders in Japan. While in Iraq, there has been change in government leaders which has affecting the comtinous progression of the country. Some people still want the old leader Saddam and others do not. In these cases even though, situations seem similar, they are not. And the results of the U.S's influence will turn out completely differently.
Yes the success in Japan can be duplicated in Iraq. First, the same country is rebuilding the country and because of the success they had with Japan we will use the same process will occur in Iraq.
No, the success in Japan can not be repeated in Iraq. Japan had to be rebuilt but Iraq still has some traces of the old government.
What a great question.
Can the success in rebuilding Japan be duplicated? Absolutely not!
To really understand, you must look at a broader spectrum of things. Japan before the war was a thriving capital of industrial power. The war with China in 1894-1895 made Japan the world's first non-Western modern imperial power, and the war with Russia proved that a Western power could be defeated by a non-Western State. The aftermath of these two wars left Japan the dominant power in the Far East, with a sphere of influence extending over southern Manchuria and Korea. During WW1 it declared war on the Central Powers, attacking German colonial outposts in East Asia, and taking advantage of the opportunity to expand its influence in Asia and its territorial holdings in the Pacific. The post-war era brought Japan unprecedented prosperity. Japan went to the peace conference at Versailles in 1919 as one of the great military and industrial powers of the world and received official recognition as one of the "Big Five" of the new international order. With that said, it is sufficient to say that then and even in its history, the Japanese have always been a proud people. But as most of you know, within the course of one war (WW2) Japan’s prosperous Imperial Empire was nothing more than a firebombed and radiation drowned, shell of a country. The Japanese Empire's government was dismantled under General Douglas MacArthur and replaced by a constitutional monarchy with the emperor as a figurehead. But it was still, a united Japan. The whole of Japan was united under one religion, unlike Iraq. Japan also had an enormous amount of national pride left, and believed that it once again was destined to such prosperity. With the assistance of American reconstruction (though it was undoubtedly our responsibility, the obvious reasons for the assistance was anti-communist oriented) and the unity of the Japanese people, Japan was quickly rebuilt.
Iraq on the other hand is completely different. A site on constant military conflict, Iraq has never been a world power. Due to the post-Saddam Hussein power shift from Sunni to Shia, Iraq has turned into a ubiquitous region of sectarian violence and anti-American strife. Making reconstruction impossible.
完成一個小目標,會把自己推向一個大目標 ....................................................
Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.............................................
wonderful...................................................
盛年不再來，一日難再晨；及時當勉勵，歲月不待人..............................
hello~welcome my world~<. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
心中有愛，才會人見人愛。......................................................
人必須心懷希望，才會活的快樂，日子才過得充實,有意義,有朝氣,有信心。........................................
每一粒厄運的種子，卻包孕著未來豐盛的果實..............................
想要推動天下，先要發動自己。.........................
Beauty, unaccompanied by virtue, is as a flower without perfume..............................................
Make yourself necessary to someone...................................................
培養健全孩子最好的方法是父母先成為健全的人。......................................................
路過--你好嗎..很棒的BLOG...................................................
逛到您的部落格讓我忍不住停下來!期待您的新文章!! ..................................................
思想與理論，貴呼先於行動，但行動較思想或理論更高貴..................................................
一個人的價值，應該看他貢獻了什麼，而不是他取得了什麼..................................................
恨一個人，比原諒一個人，更傷力氣。..................................................................
在莫非定律中有項笨蛋定律：「一個組織中的笨蛋，恆大於等於三分之二。」.................................................................
Poverty tries friends.....................................................................
成熟，就是有能力適應生活中的模糊。.................................................................
It takes all kinds to make a world.............................................................
It takes all kinds to make a world.............................................................
喜歡看大家的文章，每篇都是一個故事，都是一種心情~~祝大家開心愉快............................................................
生存乃是不斷地在內心與靈魂交戰；寫作是坐著審判自己。..................................................
很喜歡看看別人的生活故事，謝謝您的分享哦~~..................................................................
休息才能再次出發-隨時保持好體力-加油...........................................................
心中醒，口中說，紙上作，不從身上習過，皆無用也。..................................................
婚姻對男人來說是賭他的自由，對女人而言卻是賭她的幸福。.................................................................
Constant dripping wears away the stone. 滴水穿石！加油！............................................................
很耐斯的部落格，留言支持你繼續加油............................................................
在你一無所有的時候 是誰在陪伴你 他便是你最重要的人......................................................................
來塊巧克力吧~~心情會好哦~~...............................................................
所有的資產，在不被諒解時，都成了負債............................. ....................................
相見亦無事，不來常思君......................................................................
Post a Comment
<< Home