Nissim Cohen – författare

Israel’s Public Administration: Structure, Functions and Needed Reforms provides a comprehensive and critical examination of Israel’s civil service, its institutional evolution, and the challenges it faces in maintaining effective and democratic governance.Drawing on extensive historical analysis, quantitative data, and comparative perspectives, Itzhak Galnoor and Nissim Cohen trace how foundational institutional choices have shaped the structure, culture, and performance of Israel’s public administration. The book identifies key structural weaknesses - including fragmented accountability, politicized appointments, opaque budgeting practices, and problematic privatization policies - and explains how these dynamics have contributed to inefficiency, inequality, and democratic deficits. This second edition incorporates the latest available data and introduces a new chapter examining the public administration’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, offering timely insight into state capacity under conditions of emergency. The authors conclude with concrete and practical reform proposals, including legal safeguards, strengthened accountability mechanisms, outcome-oriented budgeting, and measures to reinforce professionalism and inclusivity in the civil service.This book will appeal to students and scholars of public administration, political science, and Israeli politics, as well as policymakers, civil servants, and practitioners interested in governance reform, state capacity, and democratic accountability.

This Element aims to connect the literature of street-level bureaucrats with that of policy entrepreneurship in order to analyze why and how bureaucrats operating at the street level can promote policy change in public administration at the individual level. I demonstrate how street-level bureaucrats act as policy entrepreneurs in different contexts around the globe to promote policy change and analyze what they think of policy entrepreneurship and what they do about it in practice. For this purpose, I use multiple research methods: a survey, in-depth interviews, focus groups and textual analyses. I also offer recommendations to decision-makers to promote street-level policy entrepreneurship, highlighting the benefits of doing so. Lastly, I critically discuss the normative aspects of street-level policy entrepreneurship: ultimately, is it desirable?

This Element aims to connect the literature of street-level bureaucrats with that of policy entrepreneurship in order to analyze why and how bureaucrats operating at the street level can promote policy change in public administration at the individual level. I demonstrate how street-level bureaucrats act as policy entrepreneurs in different contexts around the globe to promote policy change and analyze what they think of policy entrepreneurship and what they do about it in practice. For this purpose, I use multiple research methods: a survey, in-depth interviews, focus groups and textual analyses. I also offer recommendations to decision-makers to promote street-level policy entrepreneurship, highlighting the benefits of doing so. Lastly, I critically discuss the normative aspects of street-level policy entrepreneurship: ultimately, is it desirable?

This Element aims to connect the literature of street-level bureaucrats with that of policy entrepreneurship in order to analyze why and how bureaucrats operating at the street level can promote policy change in public administration at the individual level. I demonstrate how street-level bureaucrats act as policy entrepreneurs in different contexts around the globe to promote policy change and analyze what they think of policy entrepreneurship and what they do about it in practice. For this purpose, I use multiple research methods: a survey, in-depth interviews, focus groups and textual analyses. I also offer recommendations to decision-makers to promote street-level policy entrepreneurship, highlighting the benefits of doing so. Lastly, I critically discuss the normative aspects of street-level policy entrepreneurship: ultimately, is it desirable?

Reveals how trust—built, broken, and rebuilt—shapes the everyday work of frontline public servants and the quality of the relationship between citizens and the state.Trust at the Ground Level of Government moves beyond abstract theory to show how trust is built, lost, and rebuilt in real-world settings. Drawing on rich narratives and interviews, Maayan Davidovitz and Nissim Cohen demonstrate how trust influences service delivery, client treatment, and the ways frontline, street-level bureaucrats cope with pressure and uncertainty. The book underscores that their trust in those within their work environment may define and shape the delicate relationships between public servants on the front lines and the citizens they serve. The resulting attitudes on both sides may have far-reaching consequences for the fragile relationship between the state and society. Based on six years of fieldwork in Israel, Trust at the Ground Level of Government offers a unique look into the emotional and professional challenges facing these frontline civil servants. It reveals how trust, often taken for granted, can shape decisions, relationships, and ultimately the success or failure of public policies. Whether you are a policymaker, public servant, scholar, or concerned citizen, this book provides new insights into how government functions on the ground and why trust is at the heart of it all.