The Secret History of the Politics of Public Spending in Japan

Japan’s meteoric economic rise from the end of World War II through the 1980s and then its rapid descent into economic stagnation is one of the greatest reversals of economic fortunes among the industrialized democracies. Japan’s public finances followed a similar arc, with Japan, a former model of fiscal discipline and restrained spending, becoming virtually … Read more

Transnational Feminism and the Politics of Women’s Rights in Japan

This presentation is based on information from Prof. Joyce Gelb’s soon to be released publication, “Gender Policies in Japan and the United States.” In it, Prof. Gelb explores the similarities and differences in gender related policy making and outcomes in Japan and the U.S., concentrating the areas of equal employment, domestic violence, and reproductive rights, … Read more

From Congress to Coalition: Understanding the Politics in India

Since independence congress party has ruled India, first under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru then his daughter Indira Gandhi. In 1977 for the first time all opposition parties in India came together which resulted into congress party’s crushing defeat and formation of a non-congress government at the center led by Janta Party. This can be … Read more