Divided We Stand: Class Structure in Israel from 1948 to the 1980s

(Hardback)

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Four decades of statehood for Israel has meant four decades of nationalisitc, cultural and ethnic conflicts. Throughout these growing pains, Israel has experienced a remarkable lack of class struggle - unusually so during the transition to a capitalistic society. "Divided We Stand" shows that the lack of class struggle is no accident; it is a result of political design and necessity. In Israel, the state has been the predominating social agent and has therefore been in a position to supervise class struggle within the boundaries of its own rules. With an in-depth look at the class system and the lack of class struggle, this book provides an original perspective and analysis of Israeli society. "Divided We Stand" monitors the development of class structure in Israel from 1948 to the mid-1980s by using information on the economy and on individuals' positions in the economy (gathered by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics). Numerous tables complement the written content by examining certain variables - such as immigration, gender, ethnic origin, mobility, types of industry and religion - over three decades. This book also analyzes the structural transformation of the society and explores the process of allocation and reallocation of Israeli citizens. "Divided we stand" can be a practical source for academics and students of sociology, political development and Middle East affairs.

Reviews

Data for Ben-Porat's study of class structure in Israel are taken from various sources, mostly the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics. First, the author identifies major socioeconomic factors that have affected the emergence and development of Israeli class structure. He next explores the form and content of that class structure. Finally, he looks into the process of allocation to class positions and mobility patterns, and finds that ethnicity, gender, and religion are still important factors. The study suggests that the fivefold class structure of Israeli society in the 1980s is very close to that of a capitalist society in both shape and parameters. This well-written book makes a strong contribution to the understanding of the nature and patterns of social inequality in Israel. It deserves and undoubtedly will receive the attention of students of social stratification, political sociology, and social organization. Tables; notes; references; index. Upper-division undergraduates and above.-Choice
Four decades of statehood for Israel has meant four decades of nationalistic, cultural, and ethnic conflicts. Throughout these growing pains, Israel has experienced a remarkable lack of class struggle, unusual for a country during the transition to a capitalistic society. Divided We Stand shows that this lack of class struggle is no accident; it is the result of political design and necessity. In Israel, the state has been the predominating social agent and has therefore been in a position to supervise class struggle within the boundaries of its own rules.-Shofar
"Four decades of statehood for Israel has meant four decades of nationalistic, cultural, and ethnic conflicts. Throughout these growing pains, Israel has experienced a remarkable lack of class struggle, unusual for a country during the transition to a capitalistic society. Divided We Stand shows that this lack of class struggle is no accident; it is the result of political design and necessity. In Israel, the state has been the predominating social agent and has therefore been in a position to supervise class struggle within the boundaries of its own rules."-Shofar
"Data for Ben-Porat's study of class structure in Israel are taken from various sources, mostly the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics. First, the author identifies major socioeconomic factors that have affected the emergence and development of Israeli class structure. He next explores the form and content of that class structure. Finally, he looks into the process of allocation to class positions and mobility patterns, and finds that ethnicity, gender, and religion are still important factors. The study suggests that the fivefold class structure of Israeli society in the 1980s is very close to that of a capitalist society in both shape and parameters. This well-written book makes a strong contribution to the understanding of the nature and patterns of social inequality in Israel. It deserves and undoubtedly will receive the attention of students of social stratification, political sociology, and social organization. Tables; notes; references; index. Upper-division undergraduates and above."-Choice

Author Bio

AMIR BEN-PORAT is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Behavior Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. He is the author of Between Class and Nation (Greenwood, 1986) and his articles have appeared in International Journal of Comparative Sociology and Science and Society.