Israel over time became more... of a liberal democracy.

[meliss]

"There has never been anything to be taken for granted about the very existence of democracy in Israel. It emerged . . . in an environment about as
favorable to liberal democracy as the Dead Sea is to fishing. Nevertheless, Israel over time became more—rather than less, as is often claimed—
of a liberal democracy." Alexander Yakobson, Israeli historian

Hi, it is pretty evident that Israel became more democratic according the author, but why did he put this "of" before "a liberal democracy"?
Source: Genius of Israel by Dan Senor and Saul Singer.

 

[Tarheel]

Are you suggesting that the "of" shouldn't be there? (That sentence wouldn't work without it )

 

[Rover_KE]

See also this thread.

 

[meliss]

Are you suggesting that the "of" shouldn't be there? (That sentence wouldn't work without it )

Why not? Nevertheless, Israel over time became more—rather than less, as is often claimed— a liberal democracy.

 

[jutfrank]

As Tarheel said, it's not right without the 'of'. You don't need to ask why not. Just notice the pattern and try to learn it. Here are more examples:

more/less of a ...

1. Drinking beer does not make you more of a man.
2. He's turning into more of a recluse and less of a social butterfly.
3. It's less of a hobby and more of an obsession for him.
4. Over time, it's become more of a chore and less of a pleasure.
5. Their relationship has become less of a romance and more of a routine.
6. She's evolving into more of a leader and less of a follower.
7. It's turning out to be less of a solution and more of a problem.

Think carefully about the meaning of the sentences.