This balanced and comprehensive text explores Israeli government and politics from both institutional and behavioral perspectives. After briefly discussing Israel’s history, authors Gregory S. Mahler and Reuven Y. Hazan examine the social, religious, economic, cultural, and military contexts within which Israeli politics takes place. They explain the operation of political institutions and behavior in domestic politics, such as the constitutional system; parliamentary government; and the executive, legislative, and judicial machinery of government, including discussion of elections and voting, political parties and civil society, and democracy in Israel. Finally, Israel’s foreign policy setting and apparatus are considered, as well as the challenges faced by the Palestinians in Israel and the peace process between Israel and its neighbors. Clear and concise,
Politics and Government in Israel provides an invaluable starting point for all readers needing a cogent introduction to Israel today.
Spis treści
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
I. The Political Setting
by Gregory S. Mahler
1. History and the Creation of Israel
2. Zionism, Population, Judaism, and the Domestic Political Environment
3. The Military, Economic, Bureaucratic, and Local Setting
II. The Government Institutions
by Reuven Y. Hazan
4. Parliamentary Government and the Constitutional Setting
5. Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches and Relations
6. Elections and Voting
7. Political Parties and Civil Society
8. Democracy in Israel
III. Foreign Policy and the Middle Eastern Political Setting
by Gregory S. Mahler
9. The Foreign Policy Setting
10. The Palestinians, the West Bank and Gaza, and Jerusalem
11. The Peace Process
Notes
Index
About the Authors
O autorze
Gregory S. Mahler is Academic Dean Emeritus and Research Professor of Politics at Earlham College.
Reuven Y. Hazan is Chair in Israeli Democracy and Politics and Professor of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.