Political parties shape nationalism differently across democracies and autocracies.

Democratic Japan: Party supporters actively demand hawkish foreign policy if they are nationalist. Leaders face pressure to appease these voters during protests.

Autocratic China: Elite insiders within the ruling party show less responsiveness to nationalist displays, potentially dampening conflict-prone behavior.

The Contrast: This suggests democratic institutions might unintentionally encourage nationalism-driven international tensions through supporter accountability mechanisms.

Methodology:* Comparative analysis of protest dynamics in both countries;

Key Finding:* Japanese leaders are more likely punished for moderate nationalist posturing;

Implication:* Democracy's accountability systems may sometimes exacerbate rather than mitigate nationalistic conflicts.