Who Judges?

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'In this meticulous and elegant book, Kage uncovers the logic of the new role for juries in the judicial systems of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Spain. Her close comparisons over time and across cases allow her to understand why a country may choose to inaugurate a role for lay juries, and why and how jury systems vary. The patterns are best explained, Kage finds, by the preferences and relative power of 'new left' parties seeking to expand citizen participation in politics. This is theoretically-grounded empirical work at its best.' Frances Rosenbluth, Yale University, Connecticut 'This brilliant book offers a thoughtful, creative, and original analysis of lay participation in the criminal justice process. Kage, a rising star in the discipline of political science, is interested in understanding why a growing number of countries have invited the public to participate in criminal trials, and how such participation has influenced the power of judges and the treatment of criminal defendants. Her analysis, which focuses on Japan and includes significant research on Taiwan, Korea, and Spain, is a tour de force of comparative scholarship - historically rich, quantitatively and qualitatively sophisticated, and analytically laser-sharp. Who Judges? redefines the standard for work at the intersection of law and politics, and is indispensable reading for anyone interested in contemporary Japan, comparative politics, and public law.' Eric Feldman, University of Pennsylvania 'This book is an extremely valuable addition to global jury studies and makes a significant contribution to the sociopolitical analysis of varied democratic systems of citizen participation in criminal justice proceedings.' Hiroshi Fukurai, The Journal of Japanese Studies 'In sum, Kage's book is highly recommended especially for researchers and policymakers interested in empirically comparing law reform, politics, justice systems, or criminology, particularly in relation to Japan, but also other parts of East Asia and one part of Europe.' Luke Nottage, Asian Journal of Law and Society 'Kage's book will become a touchstone for studies of Japanese legal reform as well as for broader accounts of the politics of lay participation.' Tom Ginsburg, Social Science Japan Journal