To provide a liquid crystal display element with which a sufficient contrast ratio is obtained and power consumption is reduced.

A nematic liquid crystal polymer layer 3 containing a plurality of nematic liquid crystal drops 4 is disposed between a front substrate 1 and a rear substrate 2 placed opposite to each other. Liquid crystal molecules 3a of the nematic liquid crystal polymer are uniformly aligned in a direction in which the long axes are nearly parallel to the rear substrate. Liquid crystal molecules 3a of the nematic liquid crystal drops are uniformly aligned in a direction in which the long axes are parallel to the rear substrate and besides nearly perpendicular or parallel to the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the nematic liquid crystal polymer. Electrodes 5a, 5b to apply an electric field to the nematic liquid crystal polymer layer in a direction nearly perpendicular or parallel to the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the nematic liquid crystal polymer are provided.