East Meets West: Justice, Law, and Politics

What does it mean for East to meet West in legal and political philosophy? This question is explored against the backdrop of a world where East and Southeast Asian societies challenge the boundaries of traditional liberal democracy. Daniel Bell promotes symbolic monarchy, which supposedly fosters social unity, stability, and ethical leadership without authoritarianism, proposing it as a model for China. Hirohide Takikawa discusses legitimacy in democratic and authoritarian regimes, arguing that non-democratic systems can have authority if they secure equal freedom. Beyond the two focal contributions, the volume brings together a range of perspectives on pressing themes including frontiers of legal theory, the role and reality of judges, the interface between law and science, cosmopolitanism and culture, and sexuality. By engaging both historical legacies and contemporary challenges, the essays collectively shed new light on how legal and political ideals are shaped, contested, and reimagined across cultures. This collection is an invitation to scholars and students interested in understanding a world where "East Meets West" is no longer a cliché but a call for renewed dialogue.