Political parties shape nationalism differently across democracies and autocracies.
Democratic Japan: Party supporters actively demand hawkish foreign policy if they are nationalist. Leaders face pressure to appease these voters during protests.
Autocratic China: Elite insiders within the ruling party show less responsiveness to nationalist displays, potentially dampening conflict-prone behavior.
The Contrast: This suggests democratic institutions might unintentionally encourage nationalism-driven international tensions through supporter accountability mechanisms.
- Methodology: Comparative analysis of protest dynamics in both countries;
- Key Finding: Japanese leaders are more likely punished for moderate nationalist posturing;
- Implication: Democracy's accountability systems may sometimes exacerbate rather than mitigate nationalistic conflicts.
