JAPAN AND THE "IRREPRESSIBLE EXPANSION" DOCTRINE
pressible expansion" was cited as justification for the arming and the policy of Germany which led into the Great War; and it had more justification in the case of Germany than it has usually.
Outline of the Doctrine
The doctrine of "irrepressible expansion" can be subdivided as follows:
(a) Legal foundations;
(b) Ethical foundations;
(c) Populations;
(d) Economic elements.
Legal Foundations of the Doctrine
The failure of this doctrine to establish for itself any recognized status in international law probably is due to its obvious inequities, and further because of the practical difficulties in arriving at any general rule for its application. It is practically impossible for the doctrine to be invoked in favor of one nation without at the same time working to the disadvantage or the dissatisfaction of at least one other nation, and usually to the disadvantage of several other nations.
For instance, Belgium and Holland are the most densely populated nations in Europe, and consequently have in fact the greater need to use the doctrine of "irrepressible expansion" if the doctrine was based on law and equity. What would happen if it was proposed to expand Belgium and Holland in Europe, or anywhere, by taking territory away from other nations? Under the existing conditions the proposal will not be advanced because Belgium and Holland are too weak to "police" such an expansion outside of Europe; and the nations contiguous to Belgium and Holland are almost as densely populated as those
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