ABSTRACT
The power struggle between Ben-Gurion and the Knesset was not primarily concerned with who should hold the reins of power, but with the ideals that should lie behind government. Ben-Gurion did not think that the Knesset had the moral backbone required at a historic turning-point in Israeli history, when the character of the nation was being developed; although he conceded that it was capable of dealing with the more mundane administrative tasks. He therefore denied the Knesset the right to take part in the policy-making process, caused a decline in the support of the elite and the general public, encouraged partisanship, and endeavored to reduce competitiveness. Ben-Gurion was so dismissive of the Knesset and its members, that he would not even attend parties at which Knesset members were being given awards.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part One|78 pages
The Establishment of Parliamentary Institutions
chapter 1|41 pages
From the People's Council to the First Knesset
chapter 2|36 pages
Parliamentary Committees
part Two|72 pages
The Struggle Against the Knesset's Institutional Power
chapter 3|15 pages
Dissolving the Knesset
chapter 4|26 pages
Investigation of the Government by the Knesset
chapter 5|30 pages
Symbolic Competition
part Three|74 pages
The Struggle Against the Knesset Members
chapter 6|25 pages
The Immunity of Knesset Members
chapter 7|12 pages
Collective Responsibility and Coalition Discipline
chapter 8|36 pages
Intra-Party Politics and Nominations
part Four|68 pages
Parliamentary Style and Conflicts with Political Rivals