Economics
The Start-Up Nation’s Threat from Within
Three main vantage points are brought together in this chapter: (1) Israel’s relatively good economic performance in recent years – at least, in comparison with other Western countries that have still not emerged from the recession; (2) motivations for the wave of social protests that erupted in Israel in the summer of 2011, and; (3) the big picture, which is the primary one, incorporating the first two vantage points with additional issues, and framing them within long-run and international contexts.
A Macro Perspective of the Economy and Society in Israel
This chapter surveys macroeconomic developments in Israel during 2011 and discusses the difference between cyclical/temporary problems and structural problems. It also takes an in-depth look at possible solutions to the economy’s structural problems.
The Impact of the Expected Tax Rate Changes on the Middle Class
In light of the current budget situation, the Israeli government decided to raise the VAT by 1 percent as of September 2012, and to impose higher income tax rates and National Insurance payments on higher-earning Israelis starting in 2013. This paper examines the impact of this decision on the different strata of Israeli society.
The land of (expensive) milk and honey
A summer of protests – high prices, low incomes, and a growing realization of what is only the tip of the socioeconomic iceberg.
Employment patterns differ between generations, and depend on gender and education
The employment behavior of Israeli men and women born in different decades has changed from each generation to the next – with differences in education levels the key divider between groups.