String theory': Israel, Palestine, and the Knot of Narratives
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Political Science
Date of Award
Summer 2013
Abstract
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is considered an intractable conflict. This thesis argues that this intractability stems from the presence of six conflict narratives which compete with one another. Through the use of case studies, this thesis seeks to prove that these narratives exist and that they conflict with one another, resulting in a tense stalemate. In addition, this stalemate is set against a global struggle between two more competing narratives: Western secularism versus desecularization throughout much of the rest of the world. This thesis argues that these two global narratives also clash in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, causing fundamentally incompatible worldviews between the Israelis and Palestinians, and leading to misconceptions between the Israelis, Palestinians, and the West. These misconceptions lead to misguided policies which foment distrust between the separate parties. Correcting these misconceptions is critical to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Advisor
Jeffrey Herndon
Subject Categories
Political Science | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Armstrong, Marcus, "String theory': Israel, Palestine, and the Knot of Narratives" (2013). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 168.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/168
