A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government By Nakae Chomin

A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government takes the form of a debate between a spokesman for Western ideals of democracy and progress and an advocate for adherence to traditional samurai values Their discussion is moderated by the imperturbable Master Nankai who loves nothing more than to drink and argue politics The fiction of the drinking bout allowed Chomin to debate freely topical political issues in a discussion that offers an astute analysis of contemporary European politics and a prophetic vision of Japan s direction This lucid and precise translation of a delightful work has been designated one of the UNESCO series of classics of world literature The critical writings of Nakae Chomin angered the government during Japan s Meiji era 1868 1912 In this book three besotted characters argue the values of Western ideas versus samurai ideals in a prophetic exchange