Professionals against Populism

The Peres Government and Democracy

By Michael Keren | Publisher: State University of New York Press

About the book

This book, based on Shimon Peres's private papers, tells the unusual story of the Peres government of 1984-1986 in Israel. It is the story of an unpopular politician, demonized by his political enemies, who operates under great time restraints to manage a pluralistic democracy losing ground to enchanted masses in public squares.

Lacking support from his own national unity government, Peres reverted to his old-time alliance with Israel's technocrats in his combat against populism. Michael Keren analyzes the role of legal professionals, strategic experts, and economists in the three main events of the Peres era: the scandal over the killing of two Arab terrorists by the General Security Service; the efforts to renew the peace process in the Middle East after the Lebanon war; and the economic stabilization program of 1985. This analysis illumines Israel's hitherto unexplored technocratic stratum and its ongoing struggle over Israel's nature as an advanced industrial state. This stratum, the author contends, has been the moving force behind the construction of the nuclear reactor in Dimona in the 1960s, the combat against populism in the 1980s, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process of today.

Editions of Professionals against Populism

Hardcover
ISBN 9780791425633
Paperback
ISBN 9780791425640
PDF
ISBN 9781438408781

Read an Excerpt

This book, based on Shimon Peres's private papers, tells the unusual story of the Peres government of 1984-1986 in Israel. It is the story of an unpopular politician, demonized by his political enemies, who operates under great time restraints to manage a pluralistic democracy losing ground to enchanted masses in public squares.

Lacking support from his own national unity government, Peres reverted to his old-time alliance with Israel's technocrats in his combat against populism. Michael Keren analyzes the role of legal professionals, strategic experts, and economists in the three main events of the Peres era: the scandal over the killing of two Arab terrorists by the General Security Service; the efforts to renew the peace process in the Middle East after the Lebanon war; and the economic stabilization program of 1985. This analysis illumines Israel's hitherto unexplored technocratic stratum and its ongoing struggle over Israel's nature as an advanced industrial state. This stratum, the author contends, has been the moving force behind the construction of the nuclear reactor in Dimona in the 1960s, the combat against populism in the 1980s, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process of today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Professionals against Populism about?

This book, based on Shimon Peres's private papers, tells the unusual story of the Peres government of 1984-1986 in Israel. It is the story of an unpopular politician, demonized by his political enemies, who operates under great time restraints to manage a pluralistic democracy losing ground to enchanted masses in public squares.

Lacking support from his own national unity government, Peres reverted to his old-time alliance with Israel's technocrats in his combat against populism. Michael Keren analyzes the role of legal professionals, strategic experts, and economists in the three main events of the Peres era: the scandal over the killing of two Arab terrorists by the General Security Service; the efforts to renew the peace process in the Middle East after the Lebanon war; and the economic stabilization program of 1985. This analysis illumines Israel's hitherto unexplored technocratic stratum and its ongoing struggle over Israel's nature as an advanced industrial state. This stratum, the author contends, has been the moving force behind the construction of the nuclear reactor in Dimona in the 1960s, the combat against populism in the 1980s, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process of today.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Professionals against Populism?

History and Archaeology > History > Middle Eastern history

Where can I read a sample of Professionals against Populism?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780791425633

How long is Professionals against Populism and how many pages does it have?

Professionals against Populism has 147 page(s)

Is Professionals against Populism part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series SUNY series in Israeli Studies

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Professionals against Populism?

Michael Keren

Who is the Publisher of the book Professionals against Populism?

State University of New York Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Professionals against Populism is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780791425633) and paperback(ISBN 9780791425640) and pdf(ISBN 9781438408781)

Where can I buy Professionals against Populism online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Professionals against Populism?