The prime minister at the turn of the decade, Hara Takashi, was the first commoner to hold the position in Japan's history. ... The Meiji Constitution dictated that the military answer only to the emperor, and so any issue concerning military action was out of the hands of the lower house. ... The executive integrity of the parliament was stained with seemingly commonplace allegations of corruption, bribery, and graft.8 Popular opinion of the democratic organ appeared low; it was held that politicians used power for their own gains, standing against the people rather than the old absolu...

• Word Count: 2458
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Graduate