The Principles by Which We Develop Policy
Our Values
A shared value compass
The values of the Declaration of Independence are the basis for the common existence of Israeli society and serve as a compass for the Institute's activities. Apart from the core values expressed in the spirit of the Declaration and the roots of the Zionist enterprise, our research distances itself from narrow ideological goals that are not part of the national Israeli ethos, and is not determined by them.
Applicability
The Institute works in a variety of ways to ensure that the policy solutions it presents will be applicable both publicly and politically, and will not remain "on the shelf" as utopian policies that cannot be implemented.
Mamlachtiut
Israeli society is diverse and multicultural, with various groups with different value preferences and needs. Public policy cannot be sustainable if it serves the goals of one group and ignores or overrides the needs of others. What this means is that the policy produced by the institute is based on consideration of the needs of the general public and not of a specific sector, and it often requires internal compromises whose role is to promote a broad base of support (without compromising the fundamental principles for the existence of a Jewish and democratic state in the spirit of the values of the Declaration of Independence). The policy we offer will almost never serve all the desires of a specific group or sector. However, in the long run, the solutions we offer will be feasible and durable. This is an essential condition for any successful public policy.
Diversity Of Opinons
In every policy field dealing with issues of value and questions regarding the distribution of the resource pie, research is accompanied by diverse research and consulting teams. It is important to note that we are not a neutral entity; our goal is not to help reach a compromise or an supposed middle ground between the different voices, and not everyone involved in the work serves as a "veto player". The importance of this work method is that that we manage to map the various public perceptions and get an accurate picture of Israeli society during the research phase. This affects both the content of the proposed solutions and the ability to implement them. The institute's research produces modular "products" determined according to the needs arising from the field and the timeframes bywhich the political system operates. The typical work process includes three stages that are integrated with decision-makers needs and the environment (ecosystem) of the civil society community. In Phase I, the research team is assembled. It includes our own researchers, colleagues and external consultants. Then, initial opinion is drawn up (a "Tachles" document) that maps the issue and identifies the challenges and principles for formulating a solution. In Phase II, a comprehensive policy paper is drawn up that diagnoses the problem, discusses the social goals and the various policy steps to achieve them, and formulates concrete policy recommendations. This phase includes research using different methodologies, getting to know the reality on the ground, and organizing round tables and meetings with decision makers. In Phase III, final products are developed: legislative proposals and basic legislation, decision-making proposals, regulatory proposals, etc. When required, this phase is done in partnership with decision-makers and after mapping the political field and searching for "areas of agreement" that will ensure political applicability.
Content based on research and experience in the field
Every major project's "desk" includes our researchers and research associates from the academic ranks in Israel and the world from different fields of expertise. Additionally, people with "hands-on" experience are also integrated into the work processes. The combination between academic and practical expertise helps us crack complex and stubborn problems through a fresh, creative research approach. For example, the complex and politically-charged issue of the method of selecting judges in Israel was discussed at the Institute by research teams that included legal advisors from the top echelons of the public sector, researchers from the fields of government and political science, comparative constitutional law, institutional design, games theory (expertise in selection committees) and organizational psychology.
