The Founding of Israeli Democracy, 1948-1967

by Peter Y. Medding

Overview

Israel is the only new state among the twenty-one countries in the world today that have maintained democracy without interruption since the end of the Second World War. Israel's case is all the more notable because its democracy was established under extremely adverse conditions: massive immigration; severe social dislocation; the introduction of ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious, and national differences; rapid economic growth; a permanent security threat that led to five major wars in thirty-five years; and a population that, in the main, had little or no experience of a democratic order. In this insightful study of Israel's founding period from 1948 to 1967, Peter Medding addresses this puzzle, providing a lucid account of the political and historical conditions that gave rise to this distinctive period, as well as the changes which brought it to an end. The result is an eminently readable account of the state-building process and of the role played by David Ben-Gurion and other politicians in moving from consensus politics to a majoritarian-like democracy. Medding's analysis is further enriched by his comparisons of the development of Israeli democracy with that of other countries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195056488
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/29/1990
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	9.56(w) x 6.33(h) x 1.01(d)
Lexile:	1500L (what's this?)

About the Author

Hebrew University, Jerusalem; Head, Jewish Sociology Division, Institute of Contemporary Jewry

Editorial Reviews

"Medding's account of both the founding of the Israeli system, and of the fundamental political changes that occurred subsequently, is sophisticated and concise. His book is likely to become a classic text."—Times Higher Education Supplement

"This excellent volume casts new light on a theme that has already been discussed in dozens of books and scores of articles."—Choice

"This is a book that should be read by anyone wishing to understand Israel, even if one disagrees with the concept of Israel as a democracy."—Journal of Palestine Studies

From the Publisher