Ronen Mandelkern
@mandelkern.bsky.social
Political economist
@TelAvivUni
Neoliberalism; Macroeconomic Policy; Welfare State; Privatization; Economists; Ideas & Institutions
https://sites.google.com/view/ronenmandelkern
https://sites.google.com/view/pen-workshop
@TelAvivUni
Neoliberalism; Macroeconomic Policy; Welfare State; Privatization; Economists; Ideas & Institutions
https://sites.google.com/view/ronenmandelkern
https://sites.google.com/view/pen-workshop
**13/13**
We warmly thank the editors who included our work and provided invaluable feedback: BentGreve | @amilcarmoreira.bsky.social | @minnavangerven.bsky.social | Bernhard Ebbinghaus | MoiraNelson | Zoe Irving | & IJSW team.
Their engagement made each of these collaborations sharper and richer.
We warmly thank the editors who included our work and provided invaluable feedback: BentGreve | @amilcarmoreira.bsky.social | @minnavangerven.bsky.social | Bernhard Ebbinghaus | MoiraNelson | Zoe Irving | & IJSW team.
Their engagement made each of these collaborations sharper and richer.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**13/13**
We warmly thank the editors who included our work and provided invaluable feedback: BentGreve | @amilcarmoreira.bsky.social | @minnavangerven.bsky.social | Bernhard Ebbinghaus | MoiraNelson | Zoe Irving | & IJSW team.
Their engagement made each of these collaborations sharper and richer.
We warmly thank the editors who included our work and provided invaluable feedback: BentGreve | @amilcarmoreira.bsky.social | @minnavangerven.bsky.social | Bernhard Ebbinghaus | MoiraNelson | Zoe Irving | & IJSW team.
Their engagement made each of these collaborations sharper and richer.
**12/13**
Across these four works, our central message is clear: understanding social policy requires taking ideas seriously — as causal, contestable, and teachable forces that shape how welfare states evolve and how we study them.
Across these four works, our central message is clear: understanding social policy requires taking ideas seriously — as causal, contestable, and teachable forces that shape how welfare states evolve and how we study them.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**12/13**
Across these four works, our central message is clear: understanding social policy requires taking ideas seriously — as causal, contestable, and teachable forces that shape how welfare states evolve and how we study them.
Across these four works, our central message is clear: understanding social policy requires taking ideas seriously — as causal, contestable, and teachable forces that shape how welfare states evolve and how we study them.
**11/13**
We describe teaching strategies for both undergraduate and graduate levels: using real-world policy examples, documentary films, and discussion exercises to show how ideas shape social-policy debates and policy design.
We describe teaching strategies for both undergraduate and graduate levels: using real-world policy examples, documentary films, and discussion exercises to show how ideas shape social-policy debates and policy design.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**11/13**
We describe teaching strategies for both undergraduate and graduate levels: using real-world policy examples, documentary films, and discussion exercises to show how ideas shape social-policy debates and policy design.
We describe teaching strategies for both undergraduate and graduate levels: using real-world policy examples, documentary films, and discussion exercises to show how ideas shape social-policy debates and policy design.
**10/13**
Finally: *Teaching about the Role of Ideas in Social Policy* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social book *Teaching Social Policy*)
doi.org/10.4337/9781...
This chapter explores how to make ideational analysis accessible to students — turning abstract theory into concrete, teachable practice.
Finally: *Teaching about the Role of Ideas in Social Policy* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social book *Teaching Social Policy*)
doi.org/10.4337/9781...
This chapter explores how to make ideational analysis accessible to students — turning abstract theory into concrete, teachable practice.
doi.org
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**10/13**
Finally: *Teaching about the Role of Ideas in Social Policy* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social book *Teaching Social Policy*)
doi.org/10.4337/9781...
This chapter explores how to make ideational analysis accessible to students — turning abstract theory into concrete, teachable practice.
Finally: *Teaching about the Role of Ideas in Social Policy* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social book *Teaching Social Policy*)
doi.org/10.4337/9781...
This chapter explores how to make ideational analysis accessible to students — turning abstract theory into concrete, teachable practice.
**9/13**
— from the endurance of neoliberalism to the emergence of the social investment paradigm — within broader methodological and theoretical innovations, such as discursive and constructivist institutionalism.
It highlights how ideas interact with power, expertise, and institutional contexts.
— from the endurance of neoliberalism to the emergence of the social investment paradigm — within broader methodological and theoretical innovations, such as discursive and constructivist institutionalism.
It highlights how ideas interact with power, expertise, and institutional contexts.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**9/13**
— from the endurance of neoliberalism to the emergence of the social investment paradigm — within broader methodological and theoretical innovations, such as discursive and constructivist institutionalism.
It highlights how ideas interact with power, expertise, and institutional contexts.
— from the endurance of neoliberalism to the emergence of the social investment paradigm — within broader methodological and theoretical innovations, such as discursive and constructivist institutionalism.
It highlights how ideas interact with power, expertise, and institutional contexts.
**8/13**
We emphasize that explaining welfare reform requires distinguishing between how ideas *construct*, *guide*, and *legitimize* reform efforts — and tracing how different actors deploy them at various stages of policy change.
The chapter also situates recent debates >>
We emphasize that explaining welfare reform requires distinguishing between how ideas *construct*, *guide*, and *legitimize* reform efforts — and tracing how different actors deploy them at various stages of policy change.
The chapter also situates recent debates >>
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**8/13**
We emphasize that explaining welfare reform requires distinguishing between how ideas *construct*, *guide*, and *legitimize* reform efforts — and tracing how different actors deploy them at various stages of policy change.
The chapter also situates recent debates >>
We emphasize that explaining welfare reform requires distinguishing between how ideas *construct*, *guide*, and *legitimize* reform efforts — and tracing how different actors deploy them at various stages of policy change.
The chapter also situates recent debates >>
**7/13**
Third: *“Ideas and Welfare State Reform”* (in the Handbook on Welfare State Reform) doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We trace the “ideational turn” in welfare-state research — showing how paradigms, discourses, and actors have shaped reform from neoliberal restructuring to social investment.
Third: *“Ideas and Welfare State Reform”* (in the Handbook on Welfare State Reform) doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We trace the “ideational turn” in welfare-state research — showing how paradigms, discourses, and actors have shaped reform from neoliberal restructuring to social investment.
doi.org
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**7/13**
Third: *“Ideas and Welfare State Reform”* (in the Handbook on Welfare State Reform) doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We trace the “ideational turn” in welfare-state research — showing how paradigms, discourses, and actors have shaped reform from neoliberal restructuring to social investment.
Third: *“Ideas and Welfare State Reform”* (in the Handbook on Welfare State Reform) doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We trace the “ideational turn” in welfare-state research — showing how paradigms, discourses, and actors have shaped reform from neoliberal restructuring to social investment.
**6/13**
We highlight three transformations:
• The rise of the **social-investment paradigm**
• The **financialization** of welfare provision
• The **technocratization** of policymaking
Together, they show how ideas redefine where markets end and welfare begins.
We highlight three transformations:
• The rise of the **social-investment paradigm**
• The **financialization** of welfare provision
• The **technocratization** of policymaking
Together, they show how ideas redefine where markets end and welfare begins.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**6/13**
We highlight three transformations:
• The rise of the **social-investment paradigm**
• The **financialization** of welfare provision
• The **technocratization** of policymaking
Together, they show how ideas redefine where markets end and welfare begins.
We highlight three transformations:
• The rise of the **social-investment paradigm**
• The **financialization** of welfare provision
• The **technocratization** of policymaking
Together, they show how ideas redefine where markets end and welfare begins.
**5/13**
Next: our review essay *“Ideas and the Changing Relationship between States and Markets in Social Policy”* in the International Journal of Social Welfare doi.org/10.1111/ijsw...
We examine how ideational scholarship explains shifting boundaries between state and market in welfare provision.
Next: our review essay *“Ideas and the Changing Relationship between States and Markets in Social Policy”* in the International Journal of Social Welfare doi.org/10.1111/ijsw...
We examine how ideational scholarship explains shifting boundaries between state and market in welfare provision.
Ideas and the changing relationship between states and markets in social policy: A review essay
This review essay takes stock of the recent literature about the role of ideas in social policy, with a particular focus on a key issue in social policy research: the changing interactions between st....
doi.org
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**5/13**
Next: our review essay *“Ideas and the Changing Relationship between States and Markets in Social Policy”* in the International Journal of Social Welfare doi.org/10.1111/ijsw...
We examine how ideational scholarship explains shifting boundaries between state and market in welfare provision.
Next: our review essay *“Ideas and the Changing Relationship between States and Markets in Social Policy”* in the International Journal of Social Welfare doi.org/10.1111/ijsw...
We examine how ideational scholarship explains shifting boundaries between state and market in welfare provision.
**4/13**
We also outline methodological approaches for studying ideas — process tracing, discourse analysis, network mapping, and text analysis — showing that ideational inquiry can be empirically rigorous and indispensable for explaining social policy change.
We also outline methodological approaches for studying ideas — process tracing, discourse analysis, network mapping, and text analysis — showing that ideational inquiry can be empirically rigorous and indispensable for explaining social policy change.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**4/13**
We also outline methodological approaches for studying ideas — process tracing, discourse analysis, network mapping, and text analysis — showing that ideational inquiry can be empirically rigorous and indispensable for explaining social policy change.
We also outline methodological approaches for studying ideas — process tracing, discourse analysis, network mapping, and text analysis — showing that ideational inquiry can be empirically rigorous and indispensable for explaining social policy change.
**3/13**
We argue that ideas influence policy through three mechanisms:
*Construction* – shaping how actors define preferences and problems
*Instruction* – guiding how preferences translate into policies
*Legitimation* – framing and justifying policy choices
We argue that ideas influence policy through three mechanisms:
*Construction* – shaping how actors define preferences and problems
*Instruction* – guiding how preferences translate into policies
*Legitimation* – framing and justifying policy choices
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**3/13**
We argue that ideas influence policy through three mechanisms:
*Construction* – shaping how actors define preferences and problems
*Instruction* – guiding how preferences translate into policies
*Legitimation* – framing and justifying policy choices
We argue that ideas influence policy through three mechanisms:
*Construction* – shaping how actors define preferences and problems
*Instruction* – guiding how preferences translate into policies
*Legitimation* – framing and justifying policy choices
**2/13**
First: *“Ideas as Explanations in Social Policy Analysis”* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social *Handbook on the Political Economy of Social Policy*). doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We ask: how can ideas be treated as causal factors explaining policy stability and change?
First: *“Ideas as Explanations in Social Policy Analysis”* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social *Handbook on the Political Economy of Social Policy*). doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We ask: how can ideas be treated as causal factors explaining policy stability and change?
doi.org
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
**2/13**
First: *“Ideas as Explanations in Social Policy Analysis”* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social *Handbook on the Political Economy of Social Policy*). doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We ask: how can ideas be treated as causal factors explaining policy stability and change?
First: *“Ideas as Explanations in Social Policy Analysis”* (in the @elgarpublishing.bsky.social *Handbook on the Political Economy of Social Policy*). doi.org/10.4337/9781...
We ask: how can ideas be treated as causal factors explaining policy stability and change?
16/
We got lots of excellent feedback along the way, and we are especially thankful to
@danielbeland.bsky.social
@yoniabramson.bsky.social
Julie Cooper, Hanna Lerner, Jonathan Rynhold & Yossi Shain, and to the editors and anonymous reviewers of
@poppublicsphere.bsky.social
We got lots of excellent feedback along the way, and we are especially thankful to
@danielbeland.bsky.social
@yoniabramson.bsky.social
Julie Cooper, Hanna Lerner, Jonathan Rynhold & Yossi Shain, and to the editors and anonymous reviewers of
@poppublicsphere.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
16/
We got lots of excellent feedback along the way, and we are especially thankful to
@danielbeland.bsky.social
@yoniabramson.bsky.social
Julie Cooper, Hanna Lerner, Jonathan Rynhold & Yossi Shain, and to the editors and anonymous reviewers of
@poppublicsphere.bsky.social
We got lots of excellent feedback along the way, and we are especially thankful to
@danielbeland.bsky.social
@yoniabramson.bsky.social
Julie Cooper, Hanna Lerner, Jonathan Rynhold & Yossi Shain, and to the editors and anonymous reviewers of
@poppublicsphere.bsky.social
15/
For diaspora politics, the study reveals a new kind of influence: Diaspora actors can be ideological entrepreneurs, not just donors - taking part in remaking their homeland’s ideas through shared identity and resources.
For diaspora politics, the study reveals a new kind of influence: Diaspora actors can be ideological entrepreneurs, not just donors - taking part in remaking their homeland’s ideas through shared identity and resources.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
15/
For diaspora politics, the study reveals a new kind of influence: Diaspora actors can be ideological entrepreneurs, not just donors - taking part in remaking their homeland’s ideas through shared identity and resources.
For diaspora politics, the study reveals a new kind of influence: Diaspora actors can be ideological entrepreneurs, not just donors - taking part in remaking their homeland’s ideas through shared identity and resources.
14/
For Israel, this explains how American conservatism reshaped right-wing ideology - without replacing its ethno-nationalist foundation.
For Israel, this explains how American conservatism reshaped right-wing ideology - without replacing its ethno-nationalist foundation.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
14/
For Israel, this explains how American conservatism reshaped right-wing ideology - without replacing its ethno-nationalist foundation.
For Israel, this explains how American conservatism reshaped right-wing ideology - without replacing its ethno-nationalist foundation.
13/
Key takeaway: Diaspora–Local Cooperation (DLC) allows ideational imports across multiple domains - but only when these ideas align with local actors’ needs and core beliefs do they generate a comprehensive ideological transformation.
Key takeaway: Diaspora–Local Cooperation (DLC) allows ideational imports across multiple domains - but only when these ideas align with local actors’ needs and core beliefs do they generate a comprehensive ideological transformation.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
13/
Key takeaway: Diaspora–Local Cooperation (DLC) allows ideational imports across multiple domains - but only when these ideas align with local actors’ needs and core beliefs do they generate a comprehensive ideological transformation.
Key takeaway: Diaspora–Local Cooperation (DLC) allows ideational imports across multiple domains - but only when these ideas align with local actors’ needs and core beliefs do they generate a comprehensive ideological transformation.
12/
But ideological change varied across domains:
✅ Deep in government & law (high fit with the Right’s interests).
⚙️ Moderate in economy.
👪 Limited in morality (less political utility, internal divisions).
But ideological change varied across domains:
✅ Deep in government & law (high fit with the Right’s interests).
⚙️ Moderate in economy.
👪 Limited in morality (less political utility, internal divisions).
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
12/
But ideological change varied across domains:
✅ Deep in government & law (high fit with the Right’s interests).
⚙️ Moderate in economy.
👪 Limited in morality (less political utility, internal divisions).
But ideological change varied across domains:
✅ Deep in government & law (high fit with the Right’s interests).
⚙️ Moderate in economy.
👪 Limited in morality (less political utility, internal divisions).
11/
On social issues, American “family values” language—once absent in Israeli discourse—entered mainstream politics, shaping debates on feminism, LGBT rights, and Israel’s refusal to sign the Istanbul Convention.
On social issues, American “family values” language—once absent in Israeli discourse—entered mainstream politics, shaping debates on feminism, LGBT rights, and Israel’s refusal to sign the Istanbul Convention.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
11/
On social issues, American “family values” language—once absent in Israeli discourse—entered mainstream politics, shaping debates on feminism, LGBT rights, and Israel’s refusal to sign the Istanbul Convention.
On social issues, American “family values” language—once absent in Israeli discourse—entered mainstream politics, shaping debates on feminism, LGBT rights, and Israel’s refusal to sign the Istanbul Convention.
10/
Economically, neoliberal ideas were reconciled with and justified through Jewish tradition - casting self-reliance and limited government as biblical virtues.
Economically, neoliberal ideas were reconciled with and justified through Jewish tradition - casting self-reliance and limited government as biblical virtues.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
10/
Economically, neoliberal ideas were reconciled with and justified through Jewish tradition - casting self-reliance and limited government as biblical virtues.
Economically, neoliberal ideas were reconciled with and justified through Jewish tradition - casting self-reliance and limited government as biblical virtues.
9/
This shift was most visible in the judicial overhaul: Ideas first articulated in Kohelet’s papers - curbing judicial review, limiting legal advisors’ authority - became core government policy.
This shift was most visible in the judicial overhaul: Ideas first articulated in Kohelet’s papers - curbing judicial review, limiting legal advisors’ authority - became core government policy.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
9/
This shift was most visible in the judicial overhaul: Ideas first articulated in Kohelet’s papers - curbing judicial review, limiting legal advisors’ authority - became core government policy.
This shift was most visible in the judicial overhaul: Ideas first articulated in Kohelet’s papers - curbing judicial review, limiting legal advisors’ authority - became core government policy.
8/
The outcome? A genuine ideological shift within Israel’s Right. Yet this shift was not a rupture but a reconfiguration. The Israeli Right retained its core tenets - ethno-nationalism and territorial maximalism—while integrating new conservative ideas into its broader ideological framework.
The outcome? A genuine ideological shift within Israel’s Right. Yet this shift was not a rupture but a reconfiguration. The Israeli Right retained its core tenets - ethno-nationalism and territorial maximalism—while integrating new conservative ideas into its broader ideological framework.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
8/
The outcome? A genuine ideological shift within Israel’s Right. Yet this shift was not a rupture but a reconfiguration. The Israeli Right retained its core tenets - ethno-nationalism and territorial maximalism—while integrating new conservative ideas into its broader ideological framework.
The outcome? A genuine ideological shift within Israel’s Right. Yet this shift was not a rupture but a reconfiguration. The Israeli Right retained its core tenets - ethno-nationalism and territorial maximalism—while integrating new conservative ideas into its broader ideological framework.
7/
This diaspora–local network translated, localized, and promoted American conservative ideas:
📘 Translated Scalia, Sowell, and Friedman.
⚖️ Advocated “judicial restraint.”
🏫 Promoted “school choice.”
👨👩👧👦 Imported “family values” discourse.
This diaspora–local network translated, localized, and promoted American conservative ideas:
📘 Translated Scalia, Sowell, and Friedman.
⚖️ Advocated “judicial restraint.”
🏫 Promoted “school choice.”
👨👩👧👦 Imported “family values” discourse.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
7/
This diaspora–local network translated, localized, and promoted American conservative ideas:
📘 Translated Scalia, Sowell, and Friedman.
⚖️ Advocated “judicial restraint.”
🏫 Promoted “school choice.”
👨👩👧👦 Imported “family values” discourse.
This diaspora–local network translated, localized, and promoted American conservative ideas:
📘 Translated Scalia, Sowell, and Friedman.
⚖️ Advocated “judicial restraint.”
🏫 Promoted “school choice.”
👨👩👧👦 Imported “family values” discourse.
6/
Empirically, we trace how Jewish-American conservatives and Israeli right-wing actors cooperated to build new institutions like Kohelet Policy Forum and the Tikvah Fund that became hubs of conservative thought in Israel.
Empirically, we trace how Jewish-American conservatives and Israeli right-wing actors cooperated to build new institutions like Kohelet Policy Forum and the Tikvah Fund that became hubs of conservative thought in Israel.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
6/
Empirically, we trace how Jewish-American conservatives and Israeli right-wing actors cooperated to build new institutions like Kohelet Policy Forum and the Tikvah Fund that became hubs of conservative thought in Israel.
Empirically, we trace how Jewish-American conservatives and Israeli right-wing actors cooperated to build new institutions like Kohelet Policy Forum and the Tikvah Fund that became hubs of conservative thought in Israel.
5/
In practice, diaspora actors supply resources + ideas,Local actors adapt (“localize”) them to domestic politics and discourse so it will resonate with the public → Together they build organizations that promote these ideas.
In practice, diaspora actors supply resources + ideas,Local actors adapt (“localize”) them to domestic politics and discourse so it will resonate with the public → Together they build organizations that promote these ideas.
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
5/
In practice, diaspora actors supply resources + ideas,Local actors adapt (“localize”) them to domestic politics and discourse so it will resonate with the public → Together they build organizations that promote these ideas.
In practice, diaspora actors supply resources + ideas,Local actors adapt (“localize”) them to domestic politics and discourse so it will resonate with the public → Together they build organizations that promote these ideas.