Vision to Reality: The Reut Blog

In the face of complex structural problems that Israel faces, a regional approach can stimulate a socio-economic leapfrog based on the country’s unique assets.

Writing in the Calcalist, Zvi Lanir addresses the new concept of regional leapfrogging.

His two main arguments:

• The common assumption is that Israel’s leapfrog will be created by integrating alienated sectors into the work force, reorganizing the public sector, or a radical change in the education system. However, these changes require structural reforms in Israel which have proven to be difficult or even impossible to implement. A regional approach meanwhile could serve as an engine for sustained growth by focusing on Israel’s endogenous assets as opposed to trying to solve its complex structural problems.
• In this context, Israeli society possesses two important assets which are essential for a regional leapfrog – a high level of entrepreneurship in a variety of fields and the Israeli tendency towards communal collaboration.

According to Lanir, regional leapfrogging can be stimulated via corporation of local entrepreneurs, local authorities, NGO’s and small businesses which would focus on creating the regional unique narrative which would frame its socio-economic development.     

For the full op-ed (Hebrew), click here.

Related links:

Regional Development 3: The Academic Narrative as Haifa’s Economic Drive    

Regional Development 2: ‘The Bible Valley’ – A Unique and Global Regional Initiative