The longest and the most expensive election cycle in the US is now over. We're now beginning to see the potential landscape of the US government in the next few years. Regardless of your political persuasion, I think everyone can agree that this country will see some big changes soon. In this context, there are historical lessons that people ought to know. I'm not 100% if this is going to be a series, but here it is.
What we should know about Imperial Japan
After the end of the Shogunate government in 1867, Japan began the process of modernization under the heavy influence of Europe. A constitution modeled after that of Prussia (early form of Germany) was enacted in 1889. Surprisingly, this constitution is, at least on the surface, similar to the US constitution. Here are some examples of rights and duties.
Duties
- Pay taxes (Article 21. Japanese subjects are amenable to the duty of paying taxes, according to the provisions of law. )
- Service in the military (Article 20. Japanese subjects are amenable to service in the Army or Navy, according to the provisions of law. )
- Private property (Article 27. The right of property of every Japanese subject shall remain inviolate. )
- Not have one's house searched or entered (Article 25. Except in the cases provided for in the law, the house of no Japanese subject shall be entered or searched without his consent. )
- Freedom of movement (Article 22. Japanese subjects shall have the liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits of the law. )
- Freedom of speech, assembly and association (Article 29. Japanese subjects shall, within the limits of law, enjoy the liberty of speech, writing, publication, public meetings and associations. )
- Privacy of correspondence (Article 26. Except in the cases mentioned in the law, the secrecy of the letters of every Japanese subject shall remain inviolate. )
- Procedural due process (Article 23. No Japanese subject shall be arrested, detained, tried or punished, unless according to law. )
- Right to trial before a judge (Article 24. No Japanese subject shall be deprived of his right of being tried by the judges determined by law. )
- Freedom of religion (Article 28. Japanese subjects shall, within limits not prejudicial to peace and order, and not antagonistic to their duties as subjects, enjoy freedom of religious belief. )
- Right to petition government (Article 30. Japanese subjects may present petitions, by observing the proper forms of respect, and by complying with the rules specially provided for the same. )
Incidentally, the Chinese constitution has descriptions of civil rights that are even more similar to the US constitution. However, their problem is that the judges and politicians alike hold onto the belief that "the constitution is living and breathing." The content of the constitution, in their eyes, can be interpreted in any way that they see fit.
How did a nation that supposedly guarantees the freedom its subjects turn into a militant-controlled nightmare during the 1930's and 1940's? Of course part of the problem was already there in the constitution. Phrases like " Japanese subjects shall, within the limits of law, enjoy the liberty of speech, writing, publication, public meetings and associations" were problematic. However, the major shift to militant dictatorship did not begin until the passing of some key legislation that boosted the government's control over the people.
Path to dictatorship
1. Peace Preservation Law
It sounds good on the surface, doesn't it? In reality, laws like this one equipped the government to brainwash the citizens for united effort in WWII. Once there is a legal means to "keep peace" in the neighborhoods, it is too much of a temptation for the government to use that mechanism for political gain. For more details see the Wikipedia article.
2. Peace Police
Again, on the paper this name sounds good, but this department essentially turned the nation into a police state, where everyone that was against the national ambition to conquer Asia lived in terror.
3. Censorship
I could not, for the life of me, find the source for the following statements that I've read before (probably in some book).
The first censorship law on publication was enacted in response to some public concerns about comic books in the early part of 20th century. What we would now consider to be very much OK in comic book violence and sexuality (eg pistols, a boy and a girl holding hands, etc) were considered too explicit by some, which justified the governmental control over publication. These laws established the foundational mechanism by which the militant dictators could manipulate the public during the war time.
Current trend in the US politics
Now let us look at what's happening right here in the US. I will try not to interpret or expound too much. So please consider the similarities between the current trend and what was happening in Japan right before the country headed to the darkest time of its history.
1. Proposals for "Hate Crime" Prevention
Why would the government want so-called hate crime laws, when we already have laws against crime in general? One hidden motive: thought police. The new Obama administration proposes to "strengthen federal hate crimes legislation," and to pass the Matthew Shepard Act. It is "hateful" to murder a person because of their sexual orientation or belief, etc. It is equally "hateful" to murder anybody without any motives based on sexual orientation, etc. Any despicable crimes such as murder, assault, etc, against any person are already covered in the pre-existing laws.
Just as the censorship based on the concerns for the well-being of children seemed sensible in Imperial Japan, this Matthew Shepard Act may at first seem sensible. However, it'll set the precedence for the federal government to be able to police people's thoughts.
2. Proposals for "Peace" Departments in the Federal Government
The Democrats have proposed to create some Cabinet level offices. By the way, the same party will have near-absolute control over the 3 branches of the government next year; Exective, Legislative, and Judicial. They will have significant control over the Judicial branch, in addition to the White House and the Congress, because the new Democratic President will be able to make Supreme Court appointments. In case, you're curious as to whether the President-elect will have a "litmus test" for those appointments, here's what he said in front of the Planned Parenthood audience: "We need somebody who's got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom. The empathy to understand what it's like to be poor, or African-American, or gay, or disabled, or old. And that's the criteria by which I'm going to be selecting my judges. (quote from the Obama campaign site)"
- Office of Peace Education and Training
- Office of Domestic Peace Activities
- Office of International Peace Activities
- Office of Technology for Peace
- Office of Arms Control and Disarmament
- Office of Peaceful Coexistence and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution
- Office of Human Rights and Economic Rights
3. Fariness Doctrine
Once so-called Fairness Doctrine is enacted (mostly backed by Democrats), what will practically happen is that there will be no viable media outlet that will criticize the government. Here's Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on fairness doctrine.
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November 23rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
[…] seem to have unlimited supply of new man-power. In the World War II, the enemies (Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy) were just as determined and radical foes as today’s Islamic insurgents in the […]
August 5th, 2011 at 12:49 am
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