We define the "Developmental State Strategy" as a strategy to industrialize the country before democratization. Types of state system, developmental stages and international environments that are complementary to this strategy are identified. This strategy is quit effective in earlier stages of economic development. However, once the country succeeds in economic development, any "authoritarian government" without democratization is likely to be "captured" by vested interests and to induce crises because there is no incentive to democratize the country within its system. The administrative reform, which is currently proceeding in Japan, should be regarded as a spontaneous effort to democratize the country. We examine the necessary factors that make such an administrative reform to democratize the authoritarian government.
