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Diligence and Thrift. Efforts at moral suasion in public life. German inspiration for pro-active Japanese bureaucracy. 1880s Bismark: combat revolutionary socialism with state socialism Workers given health insurance, disability and old age pensions Regulation of labor conditions.
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Diligence and Thrift Efforts at moral suasion in public life
German inspiration for pro-active Japanese bureaucracy 1880s Bismark: combat revolutionary socialism with state socialism • Workers given health insurance, disability and old age pensions • Regulation of labor conditions
Reaction against classic liberalism: Universalist rationalism Abstract reasoning Individualism Internationalism Against socialism Emphasis on: Historical basis of social conditions Ethical interest in whole society, social harmony, national greatness, cultural creativity Intervention by state as the highest institution of morality; socially conscious monarch and bureaucracy Unabashed nationalism Younger Historical School of Economics (1872 Verein für Sozialpolitik)
Influences on Japanese theorists • “Social Monarchy: Hermann Roesler 1887 memo on constitution, “To overcome class conflict and to maintain an ethical political attitude that places the welfare of the whole above class interests, the institution of hereditary monarchy is of inestimable value.” • In Japan’s case, Japanese bureaucrats advocated preventive action. E.g., 1891 Kanai Noboru (1865-1933), “If workers are treated like beasts, then after several decades unions and socialism will appear. If now we concentrate on protection we can prevent unions and the spread of socialism.”[Kenneth Pyle, “Advantages of Followership,” JJS 1 (1974): 127-64.]
Concrete policy measures advocated(Kuwata Kumazô, 1868-1932) • Factory regulations inre hours/conditions, women and child labor • Tenancy regulations • Poor relief laws • Compulsory worker’s insurance • Credit cooperatives • Progressive tax policies
Local Improvement Movement • Home Ministry • 1900-1918 • Many policies, including a Central Hôtokukai in 1906 • “thought guidance” (shisô zendô)
Industrial Welfare Association posters • 1930s blue collar family ideal? • 1932; 1930; 1936
Industrial Welfare Association posters • Women as productive factory workers • 1934; 1934
Industrial Welfare Association posters • Women as productive in the home and neighborhood: 1929; 1931
Japanese postal service posters • 1933: “Gather round, Calesthenics for Health: Radio Taiso, 5 years” • 1936: “March 10: Day for Diligence and Thrift Savings”
British WWI posters(Roger N. Mohovich Collection, Georgetown University) • 1917, 1919 war posters