Judeo-Christian Governance, the Rise of Atheistic Economies, and the Lessons from Japan
At first glance, Japan’s economy appears chaotic, even irrational. But the same could be said about China’s economic model. From a secular or non-Christian perspective, these systems can seem perplexing—raising questions that can’t be easily answered by intelligence alone. After all, Japan consistently ranks among the highest in global IQ averages, often outperforming many Western nations.
So what explains the dysfunction?
It’s not a matter of intelligence. It’s a matter of values—and more specifically, the abandonment of Judeo-Christian values. The West is now flirting with a form of slow decay because it has increasingly disconnected from the spiritual and moral foundation that gave rise to its prosperity.
Christianity as a System of Governance
People often forget that Christian values originally served as a framework for governance, not just personal belief. The early Roman Republic, and later the Christianized Roman Empire, laid the groundwork for what we now recognize as justice, law, and moral authority in society. Over time, religion institutionalized those values, and corruption followed, most notably in the Catholic Church, which eventually led to the Reformation and the emergence of competing theological and political systems.
Great Britain, in its move to abolish slavery and promote civil liberties, helped pioneer not only freedom of speech, but also free markets and property rights. These principles were embedded into the foundation of countries like the United States, where governance was rooted in the belief that freedom flows from God—not the state.
Why Japan and Other Nations Can Thrive—but Not Lead
While countries like Japan and Singapore have achieved remarkable economic success, they are not cultural or geopolitical leaders. Why? Because they are built atop systems that take advantage of, rather than originate, Judeo-Christian governance models.
Japan’s philosophical roots lie in Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, which emphasize hierarchy, harmony, and collectivism—not individual liberty or God-given rights. Without a moral foundation in God, such societies may excel in productivity, but they often avoid leadership because leadership would require decentralizing power—something incompatible with deeply entrenched secular or statist models.
We see similar patterns in China, India, and Russia. These countries are highly capable, but reluctant to lead in ways that might empower their populations. Why? Because doing so would threaten their secular authority structures. Freedom, in a biblical sense, is dangerous to authoritarian governments.
The West’s Spiritual Decline and Its Consequences
In the West, abandoning Christianity has led to confusion and moral relativism. Many people now dismiss the faith entirely, labeling it a scam or relic of the past. In their search for meaning, some drift toward Eastern mysticism or ancestor worship, unaware that these practices were explicitly warned against in the Bible as forms of idolatry.
Unlike these systems, Judeo-Christian governance encourages innovation, accountability, and reform. It teaches that old ideas can be discarded when they fail, and that faith in God anchors society—not faith in the state.
This is why, in Western systems, even convicted criminals have legal rights. It’s not because society is weak—it’s because we believe God is the ultimate judge. Our judicial system, though imperfect, is rooted in due process and mercy, principles that do not exist in many atheist-governed nations.
Understanding Japan’s Economic Dilemma
To be clear, this isn’t a critique of Japanese people. Japan is a nation rich in culture, discipline, and innovation. But it’s also a society where the state retains ultimate control over property, and business failures are often prevented—not by market forces, but by state intervention. That is not capitalism. That is controlled economics with a smiling face.
You might say, “Isn’t that what’s happening in the West too?” And you’d be right.
That’s the danger. As Western nations abandon God-centered governance and embrace soft statism, they begin to mirror Japanization—a polite but stifling economic model where growth stagnates, bureaucracy expands, and people lose faith in the future.
At least Japan is staying true to its cultural heritage. The West, by contrast, is losing its own, and with it, the spiritual backbone that made it great. If we allow our societies to fully embrace atheistic, collectivist governance, we won’t even know how to respond when things begin to unravel.