Yagil Levy Livres

Focusing on the evolution of Israel's military policies from the Oslo Accords to the Second Lebanon War, the book introduces the concept of materialist militarism. It examines how social groups engage with the state, trading military sacrifice for social rewards, which fosters a culture of militarism. The analysis provides insight into the fluctuating dynamics of war and de-escalation, highlighting how the balance between sacrifice and reward shapes military strategies and national responses during this tumultuous period.

The book delves into the intricate relationship between Israel's military policies and the power dynamics of its ethno-class structure, challenging the notion that these policies were solely reactions to external threats. Yagil Levy argues that the interests of a rising middle class of European Jews significantly influenced security decisions, leading to increased societal inequality and missed opportunities for more moderate foreign policies. As the middle class benefited from war, their diminishing appeal for conflict ultimately shaped Israel's approach to the peace process in the 1990s.

Five Israeli academics explore the evolution of Israeli society over the past twenty-five years, examining significant cultural, social, and political changes. Their analysis delves into various aspects of life in Israel, providing insights into the complexities and dynamics that have shaped contemporary Israeli identity. Through their research, they aim to shed light on the challenges and transformations faced by the nation during this period.

Modern democracies face tough life-and-death choices in armed conflicts. Chief among them is how to weigh the value of soldiers' lives against those of civilians on both sides. The first of its kind, Whose Life Is Worth More? reveals that how these decisions are made is much more nuanced than conventional wisdom suggests. When these states are entangled in prolonged conflicts, hierarchies emerge and evolve to weigh the value of human life. Yagil Levy delves into a wealth of contemporary conflicts, including the drone war in Pakistan, the Kosovo war, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the U.S. and U.K. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cultural narratives about the nature and necessity of war, public rhetoric about external threats facing the nation, antiwar movements, and democratic values all contribute to the perceived validity of civilian and soldier deaths. By looking beyond the military to the cultural and political factors that shape policies, this book provides tools to understand how democracies really decide whose life is worth more.