In October 1991, the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) was founded as an independent non-partisan think tank. IDI is committed to cultivating and strengthening the idea of a parliamentary democracy in Israel. This is a policy-oriented organization, active both in the realm of policy-making and that of academic contemplation and research. The chief method taken up by IDI is to identify and map problematic issues in governance and Israeli democracy, to analyze them, and, as a result, to offer possible solutions or resolutions. The research is based on a comparative analysis of similar issues in other democracies, and the solutions that have been implemented there.
Through IDI's initiatives, research projects, and publications, the Institute provides its target audiences (legislators, decision makers, government officials) with the data necessary for generating productive discourse within the relevant circles. This kind of discourse is essential for an effective and enriching discussion regarding the wide range of topics occupying the Israeli public.
After 17 years of activity, IDI's programs and initiatives have covered a wide spectrum of topics. The core of the activity is based on seven long-term initiatives, directed by IDI's senior fellows:
- Public Sector Authorities
- Legislation
- Political Reform
- Mapping Social Cleavages towards the Drafting of a Social Contract
- Media and Democracy
- Religion and State
- Business and Democracy
In addition, IDI directs other programs and events such as the Annual Economic Forum, the Army and Society Forum, the Roundtable Forum and the Council for a Constitution by Consensus.
Beyond IDI's main goal as a policy oriented organization, the Institute also strives to develop and host public discussion on the most pressing issues in Israeli society.
The Institute is in the process of molding a strategy to be implemented in the coming years. In order to come up with diverse opinions and fresh ideas, we turned to prominent academics, politicians, and entrepreneurs. They were asked to map the weaknesses within Israeli democracy and to give their opinion as to what the Israel Democracy Institute's future agenda should be.
Dr. Arye Carmon