Or Asher

PhD Candidate
The School of Political Science, Government, and International Affairs
Tel Aviv University

Hi! Welcome to my modest, yet informative, personal page.

I am a PhD candidate at the School of Political Science, Government, and International Affairs at Tel Aviv University, and currently a Fox International Fellow at Yale University.

My research lies at the intersection of politics and law, focusing on comparative constitution-making processes. My dissertation examines the role civil society organizations (CSOs) play in constitution-making processes. Drawing on case studies from Israel, Ireland, and Sri Lanka, I explore how CSOs influence the content of constitutional debates, mobilize public engagement, and navigate political power structures.

My broad research interests are comparative politics, constitutional politics, deliberative democracy, public participation, and diaspora politics.

In addition to my academic research, I am a senior researcher at the Tachlith Institute, an Israeli policy institute. My work there focuses on generating policy-oriented research that fosters institutional reforms aimed at strengthening Israel's democratic institutions.

I hold an M.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Political Science and History from Tel Aviv University.

Married to Shani, and father of Sahara and Leela.

RESEARCH 

Publications

“Israeli Organizations, American Money: The Role of Jewish-American Philanthropy in the Emergence of the Israeli Conservative Movement,” Israel: Studies in Zionism and the State of Israel, forthcoming.

“Israeli Conservatism: An Uncharted Territory” in Fromer and Peleg (eds.), The Americanization of the Israeli Right, Tel-Aviv University Press, 2024.

Work in Progress

“Civil Society Organizations’ Role in Constitution-Making Processes: Evidence from Israel and Ireland”

“Understanding the Origins of Abusive Constitutionalism: Constitutional Entrepreneurship and Israel’s Judicial Overhaul”

Diaspora Members as Actors of ideational change: The Role of American Jews in manufacturing a Conservative Right in Israel” (with Ronen Mandelkern)

“From Privilege to Right: The Americanization of Personal Firearm Discourse in Israel”

TEACHING 

The Israeli Political Regime, Tel-Aviv University, 2023-2024

Contemporary Political Thought, Tel-Aviv University, 2022-2023

Introduction to Public Administration and Public Policy, Tel-Aviv University, 2020-2022