[New York Times] David Brooks - Israel is a country held together by argument. The politicians go at each other with a fury we can't even fathom in the U.S. At news conferences, Israeli journalists ridicule and abuse their national leaders. Subordinates in companies feel free to correct their superiors. This is a tough, scrappy country, perpetually fighting for survival. The most emotionally intense experiences are national ones. Moreover, the status system doesn't really revolve around money. It consists of trying to prove you are savvier than everybody else. This culture of disputatiousness does yield some essential fruits. First, it gives the country a special vividness. Second, it explains the genuine national unity. Israel is the most diverse small country imaginable. Nonetheless, its people share an intense sense of national mission. Most important, this argumentative culture nurtures a sense of responsibility. Israelis blame themselves for everything and work hard to get the most out of each person.
2009-04-17 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive