Mystery of the Kibbutz - Egalitarian Principles in a Capitalist World

How the kibbutz movement thrived despite its inherent economic contradictions and why it eventually declined

The kibbutz is a social experiment in collective living that challenges traditional economic theory. By sharing all income and resources equally among its members, the kibbutz system created strong incentives to free ride or-as in the case of the most educated and skilled-to depart for the city. Yet for much of the twentieth century kibbutzim thrived, and kibbutz life was perceived as idyllic both by members and the outside world. In The Mystery of the Kibbutz, Ran Abramitzky blends economic perspectives with personal insights to examine how kibbutzim successfully maintained equal sharing for so long despite their inherent incentive problems.

Weaving the story of his own family's experiences as kibbutz members with extensive economic and historical data, Abramitzky sheds light on the idealism and historic circumstances that helped kibbutzim overcome their economic contradictions. He illuminates how the design of kibbutzim met the challenges of thriving as enclaves in a capitalist world and evaluates kibbutzim's success at sustaining economic equality. By drawing on extensive historical data and the stories of his pioneering grandmother who founded a kibbutz, his uncle who remained in a kibbutz his entire adult life, and his mother who was raised in and left the kibbutz, Abramitzky brings to life the rise and fall of the kibbutz movement.

The lessons that The Mystery of the Kibbutz draws from this unique social experiment extend far beyond the kibbutz gates, serving as a guide to societies that strive to foster economic and social equality.

About the author

Ran Abramitzky is associate professor of economics at Stanford University and research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Summary

How the kibbutz movement thrived despite its inherent economic contradictions and why it eventually declinedThe kibbutz is a social experiment in collective living that challenges traditional economic theory. By sharing all income and resources equally among its members, the kibbutz system created strong incentives to free ride or-as in the cas

Additional text

"[This book] draws on extensive statistical data to analyse this paradox, along with many stories of his relatives who forged, embraced and sometimes rejected the kibbutz way of life."

Product details

• Authors: Ran Abramitzky
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.05.2020
• EAN: 9780691202242
• ISBN: 978-0-691-20224-2
• No. of pages: 360
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 235 mm x 23 mm
• Series: The Princeton Economic History of the Western World; Princeton Economic History of
• Subjects: Education and learning > Teaching preparation > Vocational needs; Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Judaism; Israel, Political Ideologies, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economics / General, 20th Century, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economics / Theory, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Jewish, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Jewish Studies, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Economic theory & philosophy, Political Economy, Social and cultural history, Relating to Jewish people and groups, Political ideologies and movements, Economic theory and philosophy, Social groups: religious groups and communities, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / General