Measuring the formation of a new government: the case of the Israeli parliament 1949–2016

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe test three criteria for recording data about the formation of a new government and the allocation of its portfolios using the case of Israel. We then analyse Gamson’s Law and compare our results to the conclusions of four other datasets. With regard to theory, we suggest that studies (1) include cases in which MPs leave the government and take their seats with them, (2) include the number of seats of the support parties in the total number of the government and (3) count portfolios rather than ministers. From the empirical perspective, following these procedures produces different conclusions than previous studies regarding Israel. The formateur’s bonus is substantial and the direct election of the prime minister increased it. Furthermore, large parties hold more portfolios than small parties, and when we exclude support parties from the dataset this tendency increases.