Human settlement in post-nomadic Bedouin society: An assessment of social and economic transformation in Segev Shalom, Israel

This study examines the effectiveness of public service provision as a tool for resettling nomadic populations, and for bringing modernization and development to their societies. The nomad-resettlement program in the Israeli Negev Desert is used as a case study of socioeconomic transformation. It is argued that effective development hinges upon how well facilities and services are planned by the state, and how able and willing a community is in adopting new modes of social and economic behavior.; The extent to which services are provided by the Israeli authorities, and the degree to which they are used and enjoyed by the sedentarized Negev Bedouin, are measured. Using data gathered from a direct public survey of the residents of one Bedouin town, an analysis of resident use of and satisfaction with modern public services was undertaken. The findings reveal that access to and satisfaction with town facilities vary with the respondents' gender, age, and level of education, with educated young males being least able to access services, and least satisfied with present conditions.; The formulation of a theoretical approach to modernization and development planning in post-nomadic societies is emphasized as a central feature of this dissertation. It is argued that planners must take into account the questions of endogenous, non-materialistic values and receptivity to new ideas when planning for post-nomads. It is also argued that modernization is a long-term process, and that existing social relations and culture must be incorporated into any planning strategy to expedite and encourage the development process.; This dissertation seeks to demonstrate that only when the integration of a traditional society with modern ideas and values fully occurs (and not merely the co-optation of a traditional society by external state mechanisms) will the period of social transition end, and a new "modern," more developed community emerge. The study therefore calls attention to the need for greater state concern with the difficulties encountered by post-nomads following resettlement. Proactive measures including culturally sensitive and appropriate education, employment training, and social programming may in turn help planners to achieve their development planning goals.