Ben-Gurion Against the Knesset / Edition 1

by Giora Goldberg

Overview

The power struggle between Ben-Gurion and the Knesset was not primarily concerned with who should hold the reins of power, but with the ideals that should lie behind government. Ben-Gurion did not think that the Knesset had the moral backbone required at a historic turning-point in Israeli history, when the character of the nation was being developed; although he conceded that it was capable of dealing with the more mundane administrative tasks. He therefore denied the Knesset the right to take part in the policy-making process, caused a decline in the support of the elite and the general public, encouraged partisanship, and endeavored to reduce competitiveness. Ben-Gurion was so dismissive of the Knesset and its members, that he would not even attend parties at which Knesset members were being given awards.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780714655567
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/19/2004
Series:	Cass Series--Israeli History, Politics, and Society
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Giora Goldberg, Bar-Ilan University.

Table of Contents

Foreword: The Theory of the Status of Legislatures Part One The Establishment of Parliamentary Institutions 1. From the People’s Council to the First Knesset 2. Parliamentary Committees Part Two The Struggle Against the Knesset’s Institutional Power 3. Dissolving the Knesset 4. Investigation of the Government by the Knesset 5. Symbolic Competition Part Three The Struggle Against the Knesset Members 6. The Immunity of Knesset Members 7. Collective Responsibility and Coalition Discipline 8. Intra-Party Politics and Nominations Part Four Parliamentary Style and Conflicts with Political Rivals 9. Attacks on the Knesset and Knesset Members 10. Attacks on the Political Opposition and the Parties