Description
Book SynopsisAn American Political Scientist in Israel recounts the author''s meetings with some of Israel''s political and intellectual leaders after he immigrated to Israel in 1976. His book reveals, for the first time, the flawed mentality of these elites and how this affects their foreign policy. As a political scientist and student of the America''s Founding Fathers, he provides a professional critique of Israel''s ideological and institutional flaws. Eidelberg also provides a detailed account of Israel''s economic and technological contribution to the United States. Contrary to conventional opinion, dollar for dollar, the United States receives more from Israel than Israel receives from the United States! Finally, Eidelberg offers a remedy for Israel''s woes. He first shows that although Israel, is a democracy from a sociological perspective, it is not a democracy from a political-institutional perspective. Not only does Israel lack a written Constitution with institutional checks and bala
Trade ReviewIn An American Political Scientist in Israel Paul Eidelberg powerfully illuminates the problems and deficiencies of contemporary Israeli politics. According to this thoroughgoing inquiry, the deficiencies are deeply rooted in both ideological and institutional weaknesses. A pervasive moral relativism infects policy- making, leading to unprincipled decisions on vital matters, and a dysfunctional multi- party system renders the government incapable of coherent and decisive action. Eidelberg views the subject from two perspectives: his devotion to the historic promise of Judaism, and his political science profession. Readers will find much to think about on questions theological, philosophic, and psychological. -- Harry Clor, Department of Political Science Kenyon College Department of Political Science Kenyon College Department of Political Sc
This book is full of brilliantly unfashionable and often simply indispensable advice for both Israel and America. Eidelberg is justly celebrated for his singular, erudite, and deeply serious insight—one that brings together politics, philosophy, and theology into a humanly worthy whole. And this book is surely the most and masterful of his contributions to a political science adequate to the crises of our times. -- Peter A. Lawler, Berry College
What can America teach Israel? And what can Israel teach America? Thirty-five years ago American political scientist Paul Eidelberg chose to live and teach in Jerusalem, placing himself physically and intellectually at the center of these questions. Weaving together his characteristic clear-headed analysis and constructive policy recommendations with accounts of his conversations with high-ranking Israeli officials, he offers the conclusions of a lifetime's work on behalf of his two countries, just as they have reached a crisis in their longstanding alliance. -- Will Morrisey, Hillsdale College
Table of Contents1 Acknowledgments 2 Prologue. What Israel Means to Me Chapter 3 1. My Talks with Israeli Leaders: A Question of Truth Chapter 4 2. Sadat's Strategy Chapter 5 3. Camp David and Statecraft Chapter 6 4. Self-Determination Chapter 7 5. The Fixation of Israel's Elites on "Land for Peace" Chapter 8 6. Demophrenia Chapter 9 7. The UN-PLO Axis of Evil: Part I Chapter 10 8. The UN-PLO Axis of Evil: Part II Chapter 11 9. Ideological and Political Dissonance Chapter 12 10. Politics, the Art of the Possible 13 Acknowledgements 14 Bibliography 15 Index
