My doctoral dissertation examined why Japanese people express remarkably lower levels of political efficacy than do their peers in other established democracies. Using a wide range of survey data, I argue that the LDP’s single-party dominance and institutions that limit direct citizen participation in the political process have hampered the development of political efficacy. I find that government turnover (particularly the DPJ’s victory in 2009), experience in direct democracy through municipal referenda, and participation in social movements increase political efficacy. Parts of my dissertation have been published in both English and Japanese academic journals, including most recently in Japanese Journal of Political Science.

► Gesamte Dissertation auf Japanisch