Steven R. Reed is on the faculty of policy studies at Chuo University, Hachioji City, Tokyo, Japan.
[Reed] evaluates the distribution of influence in Japanese
intergovernmental relations through detailed case studies of three
policy areas (pollution control, housing, and high-school
education). . . . His major findings are that neither legal nor
financial authority is necessarily related to influence; that
control over information does make a difference; that the
substantive merits of a case can provide effective leverage in
intergovernmental negotiating; that the least-interested party in a
venture often exerts the greatest influence; but that, in the end,
the single most important factor accounting for influence is
politics.-- "American Political Science Review"
This small volume makes important contributions to both Japanese
and comparative studies in the neglected but important field of
intergovernmental relations. . . . The excellent review of the
postwar evolution of local government shows that while the
Occupation-imposed decentralized system suffered a 'reverse course'
to become fairly docile and reliant on the national government for
policy and support in the drive for economic development, it was
not up to the prewar level of centralization.-- "Pacific
Affairs"
We have in Reed's study an exceptionally enlightening . . .
approach to studying policymaking. It is systematic, lucid, and
often very insightful. Best of all, it is well written
throughout.-- "Journal of Japanese Studies"
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