Comparing Ideological Labels

Abstract

When discussing the topic of ideology, cross-national surveys often ask about placement along a right–left spectrum, while a majority of surveys administered in Japan have employed a conservative–progressive scale, as the latter has long been used in the Japanese media and academic community. For pragmatic if not theoretical purposes, these two sets of terms have been treated as equivalent and interchangeable, yet no attempt has been made to empirically test such practice. This is the task undertaken in this chapter. In the first experiment of its kind, a survey has been conducted that includes three sets of ideological labels: conservative–progressive, conservative–liberal, and right–left, thus allowing for a direct comparison between these semantics. Results of this survey are presented and discussed in the chapter, including similarities and differences between age cohorts on perceived party locations and the association between issues and each set of labels.

Appendix 5.1 Questions comprising value dimensions in Table 5.5

Confidence in political institutions

• parliament reflects citizens’ views

• elections reflects citizens’ views

• parties reflects citizens’ views

Authoritarian views:

• people in positions of authority should always be respected

• those who question traditions and customs are troublemakers

• it is best to rely on leaders and experts because the world is so complicated

• it is better to make donations solicited by neighbors even when you disagree with its aim, so as to maintain good community ties

• leaders are knowledgeable so their opinions should be followed

• to make our country better, it is better to entrust authority to good politicians, rather than to discuss issues among citizens.

Attitudes toward elites:

• our country would be better governed if important decisions were left to successful business people

• our country would be better governed if important decisions were left to independent experts

Attitudes toward pluralism:

• in a democracy, it is important to reach compromises between differing viewpoints

• it is important to listen to the opinions of other groups

Attitudes toward populism:

• important policy decisions should be left to the people, not politicians

• the gap between politicians and ordinary citizens is wider than among citizens themselves

• I would rather be represented by an ordinary citizen than by a career politician

• elected officials all talk and no action

Patriotism:

• the national flag and anthem should be taught in schools

• I am proud to be Japanese

• there should be greater emphasis on patriotism in the school curriculum

Anti-Chinese and Korean sentiments:

• do you agree with having more Chinese in your neighborhood?

• do you agree with having more Koreans in your neighborhood?