Description
Book SynopsisPresents an history of the activists, intellectuals, and movements that played a crucial role in shaping civil society and civic thought throughout Japan's postwar period. The author traces the development of a new vision of citizenship based on political participation, self-reliance, popular nationalism, and commitment to daily life.
Trade Review"This book is a much welcome addition, one that forces us to recognize the centrality of historical ideas. It is a must-read for all who want to understand contemporary Japanese society and politics." Japanese Journal Of Political Science "This book is an ambitious intellectual history of social movements in postwar Japan ... [A] commendable project." -- Franziska Seraphim American Historical Review "[Avenell's] text reads like a history of the people, by the people, for the people." -- Roman Rosenbaum Japanese Studies "Avenell contributes an important piece to the historic puzzle." Monumenta Nipponica "This book obviously has much to recommend it... A considerable accomplishment." -- Shigeki Uno/University of Tokyo Social Science Japan Jrnl
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1. Before the Shimin: The Dark Energy of the People Chapter 2. Mass Society, Anpo, and the Birth of the Shimin Chapter 3. Beheiren and the Asian Shimin: The Fate of Conscientious Civic Activism Chapter 4. Residents into Citizens: The Fate of Pragmatic Civic Activism Chapter 5. Shimin, New Civic Movements, and the Politics of Proposal Conclusion: The Shimin Idea and Civil Society Notes Bibliography Index
