Civic Engagement and Postwar Reconstruction: A Quantitative Analysis.

This paper develops and tests a general framework for explaining variations in the extent of postwar reconstruction. Existing studies point to the importance of economic resources and a coherent state apparatus in promoting effective reconstruction. This paper argues that because reconstruction inherently requires coordination between numerous societal actors as well as between state and society, a full explanation for the extent of reconstruction must examine the linkages among those actors, especially civil society. By generating greater amounts of information, a more vibrant civil society leads to a)better identification of needs, b)more efficient implementation, as well as c)more effective monitoring. The paper tests this proposition using newly assembled data from 46 Japanese prefectures. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]