(A worthwhile test of democracy)
After a lapse of 60 years, Japan is planning to bring back a jury system. But a huge effort will be required to convince ordinary Japanese about its advantages, says Robert Precht, co-director of the Juries and Democracy Programme at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Centre at the University of Montana.
The return to citizen participation represents a bold commitment to have ordinary Japanese take greater responsibility in running the country, says Precht. But surveys show that they may not be ready:
What’s more, Japan’s democratic experiment will be closely watched by the rest of Asia. If Japan’s effort to introduce a jury system fails, democracy movements in South Korea, Taiwan and China, among others, will suffer a serious setback.
However, to guard against potential setbacks, Americans can play an important role in alleviating many of the fears associated with switching to a new legal system, says Precht. For example:
Source: Robert E. Precht, Japan, the Jury, New York Times, December 1, 2006.
For text (subscription required): http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/01/opinion/01precht.html
For more on International Issues: http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_Category=26
FMF Policy Bulletin/ 12 December 2006
