The Handbook of Israel's Political System
Cambridge University Press, 7/26/2018
EAN 9781107097858, ISBN10: 1107097851
Hardcover, 982 pages, 25.4 x 17.8 x 5.1 cm
Language: English
There is growing interest in Israel's political system from all parts of the world. This Handbook provides a unique comprehensive presentation of political life in Israel from the formative pre-state period to the present. The themes covered include: political heritage and the unresolved issues that have been left to fester; the institutional framework (the Knesset, government, judiciary, presidency, the state comptroller and commissions of inquiry); citizens' political participation (elections, political parties, civil society and the media); the four issues that have bedevilled Israeli democracy since its establishment (security, state and religion, the status of Israel's Arab citizens and economic inequities with concomitant social gaps); and the contours of the political culture and its impact on Israel's democracy. The authors skilfully integrate detailed basic data with an analysis of structures and processes, making the Handbook accessible to both experts and those with a general interest in Israel.
Part I. Establishing the State
The Supremacy of Politics
1. The formative early years of the state (1948–53)
2. Does Israel have a constitution?
Part II. Institutions Matter
3. The presidency and the symbols of power
4. The Knesset
first among equals?
5. The executive branch and attempts to strengthen it
6. The judiciary's growing involvement in public life
7. Monitoring mechanisms
the state comptroller and state commissions of inquiry
Part III. Political Society
8. Political participation
have Israeli citizens given up on the political system?
9. Political parties
can we get along without them?
10. Elections
the vague verdict of the Israeli voter
11. Government coalitions
a steering mechanism in the political system
12. Civil society
the third sector that grew unnoticed by the state
13. The media in Israel
do they strengthen or weaken democracy? Part IV. Open Policy Problems
14. Security reigns supreme
15. Arab citizens of Israel
16. Politics, society, and economics
how did the state provide for the society?
17. Religion and state
between social conflict and political accommodation
Part V. Democracy in Israel
18. Political culture in Israel.