Political Conflict in France and Japan - Essay Example

Political conflict in France and Japan Just like other countries, Japan and France are not immune to political conflict. Economic problems, strife between multiple political parties, and inadequate public support are factors responsible for political conflict in Japan and France. Discussed below are party favoritism by lenient electoral rules, factions where political parties draw their support, and economic changes in France and Japan.Extent electoral rules favor political partiesDifferent political parties can contest for public office in both countries.

In the past, Japan did not have this privilege, whereby all political candidates hailed from a single, predominant party. As a result, electoral rules favored candidates from the single party. However, in 2009, Japanese citizens adopted a multi-party model. The move revolutionized the political scene, whereby in 2012, Toru Hashimoto, a candidate from an unknown party (Japan Restoration Association) took over the country’s leadership (Fackler, 2012). Conversely, in France, the political scene boasted several political parties.

However, majority of the political candidates who won elections belonged to the Liberalist party making it the predominant political party in the region. In fact, some time had elapsed before a candidate from the Socialist party won the presidential election in 2012 (Erlanger, 2012). This showed that the electoral rules favored the predominant political party to some extent.Sections where parties draw their supportIn both France and Japan, political parties draw their support from the public.

Candidates make promises in their manifestos that appeal to the needs of the public. This strategy serves to consolidate citizens’ support. For example, the current President of France, François Hollande won by rejecting the incumbent’s (Sarkozy) ideologies of a sheltered, inclusive country. Economic changes enacted and supportedIn both France and Japan, both internal and external parties suggest economic changes; however, both countries face difficulties when implementing these changes.

Under industrialist Louis Gallois’ advisement, socialist President François Hollande opted to minimize politicians’ influence on the economy by curbing their culture of enforcing regulations directed towards the economic sector. In the past, stringent economic regulations enforced by parliament led to loss of jobs and a decline in France’s export quota, whereby shares of exports dropped from 12.7% to 9.3% (Alderman, 2012). Mr. Gallois also advised the President to reduce taxes, which proved unfavorable for foreign and local entrepreneurs.

Despite the soundness of the suggestions made, the public remains skeptical rendering it impossible for President Hollande to effect the desired changes (Alderman, 2012).Conversely, in Japan, international pressure from human rights activists has forced the government to re-analyze their labor policy pertaining to the training and employment of foreign laborers. Many foreign laborers absorbed into the government’s training program continue to file complaints against their employers. These employers expose the foreign trainees to harsh working conditions and avail meager payment that is below the minimum wage.

Many of these employees develop coronary diseases, and in worst cases succumb to these diseases as indicated by government records, which put the death toll at 127 since 2005 to 2010 (Tabuchi, 2010). The Japanese government refused to scrap the program under the advisement of the United Nations because of the implications to its economy. Japan relies on the foreign program to supply laborers to the manufacturing companies, which take advantage of the low production costs available in Japan. The local population is unable to meet the labor demand because of the high suicide rates and increased graying population (Tabuchi, 2010).

ConclusionIn conclusion, politics in both Japan and France are interdependent with each country’s economy. Policy reforms instituted by parliament attract either positive or negative consequences. The latter is a product of minimal public support, which is crucial for the implementation of policy reforms.References Alderman, L. (2012, December 20). A Harsh Prescription for Frances Economy. The New York Times, p. 4.Fackler, M. (2012, September 28). Osaka Mayors Radical Message Has Broad Appeal in Weary Japan.

The New York Times, p. 6.Mackinnon, M. (2010, October 6). A Dark Time in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Globe and Mail.Tabuchi, H. (2010, July 21). Indentured Workers in Distress. The New York Times.