Abstract

During the past decade, several researchers have convincingly argued that, as a developed democracy, Israel exhibits a fairly clear pattern of electoral economic cycles. The present article questions some of the fundamental assumptions and "political anthropology" underlying this approach. Specifically, it points to the crucial impact of long-term economic restructuring and power realignment on the nature and outcome of electoral politics. The significance of these processes has become apparent mainly since the 1970s, with the transition from a growing economy dominated by a social-democratic government to a stagnating market dominated by large business groups. In the latter context, when there emerges a "consensus of discontent" among the key business and labor coalitions, the government is dethroned. Due to limitations in available data, this study must be regarded as preliminary. Its hypothesis is tested against the two major electoral shifts, in 1977 and 1992. An alternative politicaleconomic approach to the development of Israeli society, opposed to current political and economic paradigms, is presented.