“The Promised Land of Business Opportunities:”: Liberal Post-Zionism in the Glocal Age

This chapter discusses the process of globalization-localization, namely, glocalization, and its effects on the spheres of nationality, democracy and welfare. It explores the limelight on Israel, offering an initial exploration of the effects of glocalization on Israeli society, and introducing the concept of post-Zionism. The chapter deals with the new political economy of Israel: the emergence of post-industrial economic structure; the integration of Israel in the global market and the neo-liberal policy turnabout; and the evolvement of a new material culture of consumerism. It examines the links between glocalization, the peace process and the class structure of Israel. The implications of the glocalization process on three classes are examined: the middle class, capital and labor. The chapter analyzes the major political implications of glocalization on Israel: the decline of statist nationalism, and with it of the welfare state, the globalization of Israeli capital, and, as an opposing trend, the "localization" of the Israeli lower classes, and their adherence to ethno-nationalism.