The Rise And Decline Of "Constitutional Zyoudou" In Modern Japan

"Constitutional Zyoudou"refers to the political operation tradition for ruling in turnbetween parties during Minji Constitution period when Japanese constitutionalism grew to party politics,and also to the operation process of Meiji constitutional system in 1920s.Seiyukai,as one political party involved in regime change during"Constitutional Zyoudou",is "the vertical intergration of political circles" political party established to meet the need of Meiji constitutional system.Seiyukai plays a vital boosting role in the formation and establisement of "Constitutional Zyoudou",in the meantime,is also one of key factors bringing about the failure of "Constitutional Zyoudou".So to speak,by understanding the development history of Seiyukai,one can outline of the rise and decline of "Constitutional Zyoudou" in a clearer way.The subject together with the main content of this article is the rise and fall process of "Constitutional Zyoudou".This thesis attempts to explore the four aspects of the establishment of Meiji constitutional system and Seiyukai,the rise of"Constitutional Zyoudou",political activities of Seiyukai in the "Constitutional Zyoudou" Period and the reasons for failure of "Constitutional Zyoudou"."Meiji Constitution" is the core of Meiji constitutional system,and it is the different from the Western countries of the political system and political order created by modern politicians on the basis of full understanding of western constitutional theory,the national conditions and political interests back then.By discussing the establishment process of Meiji constitutional system,and interpreting the contents of Meiji Constitution,the characteristics of coexistence of constitutionalism and authoritarianism are sketched out.The characteristics decreed the twists and turns of the development of constitutionalism.Seiyukai was established with the political games between Jiyuto and Meiji oligarchy in the background.Its establishment made two opposing political powers together,which greatly fit and stabilized the ruling order.With the formation of the Seiyukai,the constitutionalists who advocated the continual development of constitutionalism in Japan occupied a place in the ruling group,and fought for political power with conservatives clinging to autocracy.The Kei-Enn System was established to solve power struggle between the two sides,and it symbolized Seiyukai had been formally incorporated into national rulers.Subsequent Hara Takashi Cabinet promoted the develoment of party politics enormously and The Constitutional Government Protection Movement brought about the appearance of "Constitutional Zyoudou",and there exists a historical progressive relationship among the three aspects,ultimately contributing to the rise of"Constitutional Zyoudou".When Japan entered the stage of "Constitutional Zyoudou",its constitutional system showed many non-constitutional manifestations,such as the formation variation of the ruling party,a powerful figure in political circle,Saionji,who had power to control the development of "Constitutional Zyoudou",and Seiyukai,which should maintain and promote "constitutional doctrine",destructed constitutional principles in order to seize power,etc.These manifestations also confirm"Constitutional Zyoudou" will move towards the destiny of ultimate decline.At last,the thesis analyzes the reasons for failure of "Constitutional Zyoudou" taking institutional and political party factors into account.The thesis,putting Seiyukai in the central perspective,taking the characteristics of Minji constitutional system and the political games among political parties,Meiji oligarchy and army headquarters as observation dimensions,discusses and analyzes the development history of a particular constitutional system,"Constitutional Zyoudou",and its impacts on the political order of modern Japan.