No Substitute for Victory: Lessons in Strategy and Leadership from General Douglas Macarthur

2. Create Change Through Established Local Authority

MacArthur has been criticized for his retention and support of Japan's Emperor Hirohito, but this strategy was instrumental in enabling a successful occupation. In Japan, the Emperor was the highest and most revered authority figure. By trading the Emperor's security for his cooperation, MacArthur ensured the acquiescence of the people. He also used the Emperor as a role model on which to build his own image of authority.

Further, although MacArthur certainly initiated most of the fundamental change in Japan, he tried to remain behind the scenes. “I knew that the whole occupation would fail if we did not proceed from this one basic assumption—the reform had to come from the Japanese.” By enlisting ...