The Next Elections in Israel: How Should We Vote?

Several factors have contributed to making Israeli political reality more complicated than ever! The enacting of the Basic Law: The Government (1992), the party primaries, the 1996 elections, and the direct election of the Prime Minister.

Theses changes were put into motion as a result of the feeling that the existing governing system was inadequate, particularly with regard to the constitutional status of the Prime Minister and his ability to execute policy. Today, some acknowledge that the changes did not achieve their goal. Must we conclude that the previous system should be reinstated? Or would it be wiser to persist in the same direction and complete the process by changing the current electoral system of the Knesset with an alternative one? It seems that the experience gained since the implementation of this system, that is unique worldwide, justifies a serious public discussion on the current trend of changes and its direction, and the future character of the political system.

This book discusses the change in the electoral system in Israel, in light of the political and social processes occurring in Israel in recent years. It offers standards for comparison to other countries. The authors outline principles for a prototype of electoral reform in Israel, examining various alternatives of the reform.

As the year 2000 approaches, this book shall serve as a basis for public discourse on the future of the government and political system in Israel.

Asher Arian is a Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, as well as a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Haifa University. Among his books: The Elections in Israel series, The Choosing People, Politics and Government in Israel and The Second Republic: Politics in Israel, published recently.

Ruth Amir is a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Haifa University.