The central question in the Nov. 9 general election is whether a full-fledged two-party system will come into existence in Japan. Key to the answer is how voters will respond to manifesto-based debates between the two largest parties, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Democratic Party of Japan. A manifesto is a formal statement of election promises. The assumption is that whichever party takes power will faithfully carry out its stated promises.

Japan has much to learn from two-party politics in the United States and West European countries, pioneers in parliamentary politics. Generally, there are common differences in social philosophy and economic thought between two major parties in a country committed to parliamentary democracy and market economy.

Simply put, those differences boil down to liberal conservatism vs. social democracy. The former carries heavy overtones of market fundamentalism, which advocates, in effect, the "survival of the fittest." The latter emphasizes "safety nets," such as social security. Socialism has not taken root in the U.S. as it has in Europe, but differences between the Republicans and the Democrats are similar to those between European parties. In terms of the role of government, the choice is between "small government" and "big government."