Author Description

This 1972 work explains how Mapai governed Israel from 1948 to 1969 when it gave up its independent identity to become a major partner to the newly formed Israeli Labour Party. It analyses how Mapai's dominant role in Israeli society was built up before 1948 and how it successfully adapted itself to the changes which resulted from it becoming an independent state. Society, party and state are seen as the three main foci for this study of Mapai and the party is seen to perform the central political role of connecting the social forces within the population to the state institutions. This book demonstrates how Mapai's dominance rested upon its success in gaining the support of these social forces, including new ones that arose after 1948 as a result of immigration and socio-economic change. it also illuminates the organisational flexibility which Mapai demonstrates in incorporating these diverse and often competing groups.