This book presents politics and government in three of Asia's most important states: India, China, and Japan. The author emphasizes features that are both unique and shared in the politics of these Asian nations and stresses the importance of understanding the lenses through which we view them. The discussion also situates the politics in the distinctive cultural and historical contexts of each country and demonstrates the intermingling and grafting of the Asian traditions and the influence of Western values and institutions as part of the political reality of India, China, and Japan.

Comparing Asian Politics presents an unusual comparative examination of politics and government in three Asian nations: India, China, and Japan. Sue Ellen M. Charlton artfully points out both the unique and shared features of politics in these Asian countries. The author elucidates the links between politics and each nation's distinctive cultural and historical contexts and, at the same time, demonstrates the intermingling and grafting of Asian traditions with the influence of Western values and institutions. National identity, political cohesion, and socioeconomic change emerge as central to how politics has developed in each nation-state. Charlton provides insight into such topics as the significance of constitutions in the political process; the parliamentary system in Asia; the regionalization of politics and the importance of levels of government; the decay of one-party rule; state authority; and the development of grassroots politics. Selected public policy questions for each country are introduced early in the book in order to acquaint readers with political controversies that are important both domestically and internationally. Often these focus on the role of ethnic minorities, women, and regional groups in Asian political processes.

Unlike many comparative studies, this book not only illuminates the politics of India, China, and Japan in relation to one another, it also suggests to readers how their own experience of politics can be informed by understanding the politics and government of these three Asian nations.