Introduction: Sociology and the Nation (1882–2018)

Abstract

This book is about Israeli sociology since its beginnings, from the late nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. Israeli sociology evolved in tandem with the development of the Israeli-Jewish nation in Palestine , and later, of the state of Israel, and in compliance with this collectivity. The changing nature of relations between the nation-state and the discipline of sociology throughout this era is a major pivot of our narration. The narration is organized in the following historical phases: Predecessors (1882–1948), Founders (1948–1967), Disciples (1967–1996), Critics (1977–1987/1993), Intermediators (who analyze social cleavages) (1987–2018), and Postmodernists and Postcolonialists (1993–2018). The introductory chapter outlines briefly the development of the Israeli sociological text within the shifting context of Israeli history.