Ira Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science and public administration at Hebrew University.
His books, which are available on Amazon, include:
*Alternative federal solutions to the problem of the administered territories
*Ambiguity, Coping, and Governance: Israeli Experiences in Politics, Religion, and Policymaking
*Ancient and Modern Israel: An Exploration of Political Parallels
*Coping with Terror: An Israeli Perspective
* Governing Israel: Chosen People, Promised Land and Prophetic Tradition
*Governing Jerusalem: Again on the World’s Agenda
* Israel and its Bible: A Political Analysis
* Maligned States: policy accomplishments, problems and opportunities
* Policy Analysis in Political Science
* Policy and Politics in American Governments
* Policy Making in Israel: Routines for Simple Problems and Coping with the Complex
* Politics and Planning in the Holy City
* Politics and Policymaking in Search of Simplicity
* Public Administration: Agencies, Policies, and Politics
* Public Administration Policy Making in Government Agencies
* Public Administration (2nd Edition): Policy Making in Government Agencies
* Regionalism in American Politics
* Rituals of Conflict: Religion, Politics, and Public Policy in Israel
* Spending in the American States
* The Policy Predicament: Making and Implementing Public Policy
* The Political Economy of Israel
* The Politics of Religion and the Religion of Politics
*The Politics of Taxing and Spending
* The Routines of Politics
* The United States: A Study of a Developing Country
* The United States Revisited: A Study of a Still Developing Country
* Urban Politics and Public Policy [Robert Lineberry]
* What Makes Israel Tick: How Domestic Policy-Makers Cope with Restraints
* Wither the State: Politics and Public Enterprise in Three Countries
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics being what it is, not every day is a time for celebration. Not even in the Promised Land. A lower court has concluded its work on the files of Ehud Olmert and several of his cohorts in one cluster of the charges pending against the former Prime Minister. There […]
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In democracies with strong institutions, individuals do not generally make major decisions. They come from parties, organizations, and governmental bodies, with the oversight of courts that are designed to neutralize the egos and policy preferences of those claiming leadership. Yet personalities are part of the process, and can get in
Abbas tells Peres, Indyk one thing, Netanyahu another Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We have returned from eight days in Northern Italy to the Middle East, where my residence is approaching 40 years. I’ve taken advantage of Israel’s location and airline connections over the years to all the countries of Western Europe except for Luxembourg and the even tinier ones, most of them
European unity and Mideast disunity Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In the blame game that follows the suspension or failure of the Kerry peace process, one often hears of Israel’s satisfaction with, and commitment to the status quo. No doubt many Israelis really do not want to accept the development of a Palestinian state, even though public opinion polls show
Neither side in Mideast talks was anxious for change Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky PADUA, Italy — Living in Israel has several advantages that are not widely promoted among those trying to attract tourists or new residents. You can live a Jewish life, immersed in a rich culture and discussions of things that have been argued for more than two millennia, without having to visit a synagogue.
Reflections on Italian and Israeli tourism Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Palestinians of Hamas Gaza and Fatah West Bank have announced the end of their dispute. They claim it gives them added strength to deal with Israel Bibi is claiming that it provides the exit from the peace process At least temporarily, the US is siding with Israel in accepting a
Where from here with breakdown of Mideast talks Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–A highlight of my day six and a half decades ago, before television reached Fall River, late afternoons Monday through Friday, was the opening blare of the William Tell Overture and then another radio episode of the Lone Ranger and his sidekick Tonto. Tonto was what politically aware Native Americans call a
The forked tongues of Middle Eastern politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — What links behavior in the underworld and international relations is what are called in international relations “spheres of influence.” The equivalent in the world of gangs and higher levels of business and warfare in the underworld are territories, or markets. Boardwalk Empire is a TV series centered in Atlantic City
Parallels between crime bosses and political leaders Read More »
International, Ira SharkanskyBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Let’s call it what it is. The US has used its muscle to get Israelis and Palestinians to discussions that neither of them wanted. Both sides speak and deal with one another all the time. It’s part of living side by side, with pockets of one inside the other, and
Both sides pay lip service to Kerry’s peace process Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israeli politics is straining under the pressure of the US, and those led by the US to keep conversations with the Palestinians going, and the counter pressure from coalition members who are tired of the charade, and resist paying the price of prisoner releases. The potential for this conflict has
U.S. pressure for peace process vs. Israeli politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There’s another New York Times Op-Ed on Israel. This one praises Iran’s move away from theocracy and toward secularism, while describing Israel is moving in the opposite direction. It seems a bit premature to applaud any sign of reasonable activity from the mullah’s of Iran, I am even less certain that the authors (one Iranian
If this NYT Op-Ed on Israel were graded, it wouldn’t pass Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Two issues are at the roiling stage, and threatening the capacity of Barack Obama to run the world by means of his political wisdom and the aides he sends forth to do his work. Ukraine and Israel-Palestine are much different in the nature and what they threaten. Israel and Palestine are on
Middle East, Eastern Europe challenge U.S. Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics is the civilized way of dealing with disputes. Campaigns, voting, and the routine displacement of the losers by the winners is the way of enlightened government. Making policy and managing programs are more complicated than election campaigns. They require professional expertise in the myriad of fields that government touches.
Kerry, other politicians should keep hands off Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — When writing about Sheldon Adelson, Thomas Friedman gets some things right, and others very wrong. He’s right to see Sheldon Adelson as an overly friendly threat against Israel. Friedman calls him “Iran’s Best Friend” in a recent NTY op-ed piece. If anyone currently active threatens the image of the Jew
Two influential Americans who dispute Israel’s future Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA