Study of the flying geese theory from a political point of view : a Japanese propaganda argument in the post world war II era

Abstract

The Flying Geese Theory (gankoo keitai hattenron 雁行形態発展論), dating from 1932, is one of the rare cases of a scientific theory that was used as a part of Japanese wartime propaganda, and which also survived and succeeded in the postwar era. It was used to legitimize the 'New Order in East Asia (TōA shinchitsujo 東亜新秩序) in 1938, and the new formulation of the 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere‘ (Dai TōA kyōeiken大東亜共栄圏) in 1940. Later in the 1980s the Flying Geese Theory/Pattern became the most successful candidate for explaining the expansion of ‗Asian economical miracles‘ in the postwar era. This study focuses on this famous piece of economical and political rhetoric. The intention is to offer a more comprehensive view to the question ‗weather the Flying Geese theory is a real explanation of the Asian miracles, or just an invented concept to allow Japan be able to return ―back‖ to Asian community of nations, after Japan‘s invasion War during the World War II?‘ Through the studying of the history of the Flying Geese Theory, this study argues that these two of arguments do not conflict with each other, as they would appear to be. The Flying Geese Theory can be used to partly explain the Asian miracles and at the same time it can be seen as one of the most successful propaganda in the modern history of Japan.