Dark Sides of the Startup Nation: Winners and Losers of Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Israel

Israeli national neoliberalism has promoted innovation policies leading to a paradoxical situation where a vibrant high-tech entrepreneurial ecosystem is celebrated at the center, while marginalized groups at the periphery struggle to survive. This book explores how neoliberalism and entrepreneurship are intertwined, targeting technological innovation for competitive advantage while neglecting economic achievements and well-being for all. It demonstrates the existence of parallel entrepreneurial societal spaces, analyzes the positionality of entrepreneurs, and uncovers structural disadvantages and precarity. The book challenges the myth of entrepreneurship as meritocratic and highlights the contradictory aspects of neoliberal capitalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Israeli national neoliberalism has fostered innovative policies, resulting in an apparent paradox. At the core lies a startup nation characterized by a thriving and successful high-tech entrepreneurial ecosystem, accumulating resources and enabling continuous growth. However, at the geographical and social margins, a parallel society has emerged, often marginalized groups struggling to keep up. In one of the most unequal countries with a high poverty rate, entrepreneurial heroes are celebrated at the center, perpetuating the myth that all can achieve self-made success. At the periphery, entrepreneurs face immense challenges, often resorting to precarious working and living conditions.

Applying critical theory discourse, this book explores the intricate relationship between neoliberalism and entrepreneurship in Israel. It delves into how national neoliberal state policies have prioritized technological innovation as a means to gain a competitive edge in the global arena, rather than focusing on enhancing economic outcomes and well-being for all. It will showcase that the Israeli entrepreneurship landscape exemplifies the existence of parallel entrepreneurial societal spaces, analyzing the positionality of entrepreneurs from diverse groups that constitute Israeli society. Furthermore, it will uncover structural disadvantages, related levels of precarity, and existing connections between entrepreneurial advantages and disadvantages, mobility, and varying degrees of social marginality.

Dark Sides of the Startup Nation sheds light on the problematic and often contradictory myth that entrepreneurship is meritocratic and that neoliberal capitalism offers equal opportunities for success. This book will appeal to researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities and challenges of entrepreneurship and its impact on society.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367548902