Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Figures
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Introduction: The Other Palestinian Problem
- PART I THE CONFLICT WITHIN
- PART II MANAGING THE CONFLICT
- 5 The Formation of the Jewish Republic
- 6 Alternatives to Ethnic Hegemony
- 7 Neither Ethnocracy nor Bi-nationalism
- 8 Israel's Challenge
- Conclusion: A Comprehensive Resolution of the Palestinian Problem
- Bibliography
- Index
6 - Alternatives to Ethnic Hegemony
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Figures
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Introduction: The Other Palestinian Problem
- PART I THE CONFLICT WITHIN
- PART II MANAGING THE CONFLICT
- 5 The Formation of the Jewish Republic
- 6 Alternatives to Ethnic Hegemony
- 7 Neither Ethnocracy nor Bi-nationalism
- 8 Israel's Challenge
- Conclusion: A Comprehensive Resolution of the Palestinian Problem
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
We can only hope to “manage,” not to solve, conflicts arising from ethnocultural diversity. People who seek a “Solution” to ethnocultural conflicts are either hopelessly idealistic or murderously genocidal.
Will Kymlicka, Canadian political philosopherBringing about a significant improvement in Jewish-Palestinian relations in Israel will not be easy. What can we learn from the experience of other countries where ethnic conflict is prevalent? This is the central question addressed by this chapter. In gaining insight into the Jewish-Palestinian conflict inside Israel and ways of better managing it, it is important to look at it comparatively, that is, to analyze this conflict as part and parcel of a large class of ethno-national conflicts in today's world. Although the Jewish-Palestinian conflict inside Israel might be different from other ethnic conflicts in certain respects (as every conflict is), it is surely not unique. Some analysts have an inclination to describe Israel, including majority-minority relations within it, as entirely unique. Contrary to this view, we believe that it is useful to view majority-minority relations in Israel, and ways of improving them, through a comparative lens. We also believe that it is important to take a modest view with regard to the possibilities for improving inter-ethnic relations, realizing the limits of any possible “solution.”
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Israel’s PalestiniansThe Conflict Within, pp. 146 - 166Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011