Course Description

This class aims to understand varieties of Economic Systems. Nowadays there is actually one economic system, i.e. Capitalist Economic System. But historically speaking, there is an alternative. In fact in the era of the Cold War, dozens of countries function as a Socialist Economic System. Therefore, we want to understand whether there should be an alternative to take in the current situation. People have tried very hard to take a necessary Economic System to make use of it. In a sense, current China's and Russia's administrations are very eager to adopt a best suitable Economic System to make the countries more prosperous and strong. In the history of Japan, our ancestors were also one of those who pursue the best Economic System to take before WW2. In fact, the Former Prime Minister of Japan, Nobusuke Kishi, whose grandson is Shinzo Abe, was the chief planner and organizer of the new Economic System in Manchuria. By looking back at the history of Manchuria, we can learn much about the functioning of the Economic System. We should also take a close look at the development of postwar Japan, as Prime Minister Kishi had a strong influence in forming the Economic System of Post-war Japan.