The Transformation of Palestinian Politics

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This book provides a detailed analysis of the Palestinians' transition from a revolutionary movement to a state, highlighting the challenges rooted in their history, society, and diplomatic agreements. It explores the quest for national identity, economic system choices, and government structure. The political system is characterized as a pluralist dictatorship, featuring free elections and multiple parties, yet it is marked by a powerful executive and arbitrary law enforcement due to limited freedoms. The ruling elite comprises veteran revolutionaries, wealthy heirs, professional soldiers, technocrats, and Islamic clerics. Rubin examines the functioning of the executive and legislative branches, the impact of public opinion on the peace process, the role of nongovernmental institutions, and the Palestinian Authority's foreign relations, particularly with the Arab world, Israel, and the United States. Drawing from documents in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, along with interviews and observations, he concludes that the Palestinian Authority's positive aspects outweigh the negatives, predicting the establishment of a Palestinian state. His insights into the triumphs and challenges of this evolving state provide a framework for understanding future developments in the Middle East.