10406 Government and Politics in Israel 1

Credits: 6 intermediate credits in Political Science

Prerequisites: none

Authors: Benyamin Neuberger, Tamar Hermann, Dan Caspi, Dan Giladi

The course acquaints students with key issues in Israel’s political system and analyzes these issues in light of various political science theories. It examines the institutional-structural facets of the political system in Israel (Government), as well as its behavioral-dynamic aspects (Politics) in the first fifty years of statehood (1948-1998). The course does not aim to provide a detailed historical-chronological description of the political events and developments which transpired during these years, but rather to highlight general trends, the foci of activity and the points of contention, as a basis for more specific study.

Topics: The origins of the Israeli polity; Israeli democracy – origins and development; The constitution debate in Israel; Knesset supremacy or government rule?; State and religion in Israel; Political parties in Israel; The electoral system and voting behavior in Israel; Mass media and politics; The Arab minority in Israeli politics: National alienation and political integration; Economics and politics.

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1This course is also offered in Russian (42141). Its description is available on the Russian-language website of the Open University (https://www-r.openu.ac.il/).

There is some overlap in the content of this and other courses. For details, see Overlapping Courses.