The Globalization of Israel: McWorld in Tel Aviv, Jihad in Jerusalem

The Globalization of Israel, presented here as part of Routledge's Globalizing Regions series, is an ideal introduction to contemporary Israel. Studying the process of globalization by tracing its effects on Israeli economy, society, politics and culture, Uri Ram offers readers a new paradigm for the study of present-day Israeli society. This study explores two defining-and conflicting-contemporary trends: one toward advanced liberal democracy with a cosmopolitan edge, and the other toward ethno-religious traditionalism. Framing his analysis in a discussion of Israeli history and broader social currents, Ram examines the country's present-day bifurcation into polar opposites-capitalism versus tribalism, "McWorld" versus "Jihad"-and weaves it into a systemic, comprehensive, concise, and thorough sociological account. Book jacket.

Uri Ram is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Ben Gurion University, Israel