Researchers who analyzed the political and cultural characteristics of first generation development towns (the 50s and 70s) identified more or less uniform characteristics which are: A significant dependency of the public on the local leader and a significant dependency of local government on central government; typically, a significant identification of residents with the state and its symbols was found in this cultural paradigm; a conservative inclination towards possible changes in local and central political structures; an orientation towards establishing and manning public institutions according to ethnic and clannish codes and an inclination towards social conformism.

This study, which focuses on the development towns of a recent generation, substantiate the assumption that the cultural-political hierarchical and traditional paradigm is nearing its end (albeit still dominant in some places). In terms of a 'political life cycle' this paradigm is increasingly showing signs of dying out, challenged by developing alternative paradigms attempting to establish themselves among the residents of development towns. This process of rising new powers and structures of political cultures, often only budding, is accompanied by competition from various groups with different assertions and strategies for action.
This study exposes, and mainly characterizes, the new paradigms, which, under specific conditions are likely to shape the new generation of political cultures in Israel's periphery.