U.S. Occupation of Japan Offers Lessons for Iraq

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- If the U.S. is successful in dethroning Saddam Hussein, a lengthy and difficult period of occupancy would be required to democratize Iraq, says Thomas W. Burkman, director of UB's Asian Studies Program.

Burkman points to the Allied occupation of Japan after World War II as an example of how difficult regime change in Iraq could be.

"Forcing changes in Japan required the extended presence of thousands of Allied troops and civilians, the work of thousands more Japanese functionaries and millions of dollars." Burkman notes.

"Democratization requires more than taking out a dictator," Burkman adds. "It takes ideological consensus, high idealism, a stomach for social engineering and the patience to persist through an extended period of habituation -- all backed by military force."