Assessing Israeli Democracy

An assessment of Israeli democracy over time and in comparison to other countries. "Objective" indicators were developed and comparisons were made with other countries and over time. In addition, an annual public opinion survey is conducted.

The analysis was conducted using several comparative quantitative indicators (31 indicators in all) and through a public opinion survey that investigated public perceptions in Israel in 2004.

 

The quantitative indicators incorporated in the study were developed by various international research institutions, such as: Polity, Minorities at Risk, the United National Human Development Project, the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG), Freedom House, Transparency International, the Heritage Foundation, and researchers Arthur Banks, Michael Gallagher and Arend Lijphart.

 

Data for comparison of countries on the matter of public opinion was taken from international studies, primarily from the World International Social Science Project. The survey was conducted among a representative sample of the Israeli adult population, both Jewish and Arab. The sample included 1,200 respondents who were interviewed over the phone in Hebrew, Arabic and Russian, by the Dahaf Research Institute. Sampling error is +2.9.

The study was carried out on two levels: first, examining the central aspects of the functioning of the democratic regime on the basis of quantitative indicators accepted in international research. Second, using surveys to examine public perception of the status of the democracy and an assessment of the degree to which democratic culture has taken root among the public.