In Japan, we have managed to socio-economic development, socio-economic equality and political stability at the same time, and also the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have established one party dominant party system, particularly through the period of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Conventionally, as socio-economic development is firstly pursued, socio-economic inequality, especially inequality of income distribution is expanded, economic strikes and political demonstrations may be caused, and as a result political instability may be brought about. In the same way as just like in the case of other developing countries, in that of Malaysia, because the country have had priority over socio-economic development, the inequality had resulted particularly through the period of 1960s and 1970s. But in the case of Malaysia different from those of Japan and the other developing countries, in spite of its socio-economic iiequality, it has enjoyed political stability since 1970s. It seems that this is due to the characteristics of its party system rather than some socio-economic policies by Malaysian government. Thereby, this article tries to consider to what degree the characteristics of Malaysia’s party system, in other word, the “hegemonic party” has increased its inclusiveness in regard to external relations―the second aspect of inclusiveness―and its stability. Therefore the analysis is conducted along three dimensions of relations: namely, the relations among ruling parties, among opposition parties, and between ruling and opposition parties. It appears that based on these analysises the original model of Malaysia’s political development is able to be described as we previously pointed out.

In Japan, we have managed to socio-economic development, socio-economic equality and political stability at the same time, and also the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have established one party dominant party system, particularly through the period of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Conventionally, as socio-economic development is firstly pursued, socio-economic inequality, especially inequality of income distribution is expanded, economic strikes and political demonstrations may be caused, and as a result political instability may be brought about. In the same way as just like in the case of other developing countries, in that of Malaysia, because the country have had priority over socio-economic development, the inequality had resulted particularly through the period of 1960s and 1970s. But in the case of Malaysia different from those of Japan and the other developing countries, in spite of its socio-economic iiequality, it has enjoyed political stability since 1970s. It seems that this is due to the characteristics of its party system rather than some socio-economic policies by Malaysian government. Thereby, this article tries to consider to what degree the characteristics of Malaysia’s party system, in other word, the “hegemonic party” has increased its inclusiveness in regard to external relations―the second aspect of inclusiveness―and its stability. Therefore the analysis is conducted along three dimensions of relations: namely, the relations among ruling parties, among opposition parties, and between ruling and opposition parties. It appears that based on these analysises the original model of Malaysia’s political development is able to be described as we previously pointed out.

Japan, Malaysia, Political Stability, Relations among Political Parties, Hegemonic Party System