Cultures & Contexts: Modern Israel

Catalog description

Israel is a fascinating example of a complex state system that has developed in a relatively short time (since the 1880s) into a dynamic country undertaking colossal military, economic, and social commitments. The country has undergone tremendous domestic changes over the decades: the continued ingathering of Jews from around the world, complex religious and ethnic diversity, parliamentary democracy characterized by the continuing reconstitution of coalition governments, major constitutional changes, and economic transformation. On the international scene, there have been waves of accommodation with its Arab neighbors, alongside continuing tension with Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, and struggles with the Palestinians over land and political rights. We cover the major themes of modern Israel state and society including the country’s history of state-building, institutions and political participation, religion and politics, ethnic and social cleavages, gender and politics, civil society, political economy, international relations and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.