This chapter is not so much about the techniques of policy analysis as about elements of the Israeli society, economy and politics, as well as its international environment, that affect policy analysis, and its capacity to influence Israeli policy. It is appropriate to describe these as the stimuli and constraints of policy analysis in a particular setting, which appears to distinguish it from other countries.

Other chapters in this volume will deal with the details of policy analysis in Israel. Here, policy analysis is conceived as assessments by professionals of prominent issues on the public agenda, without pre-set or intense ideological commitments. The concern is to define by techniques of rational analysis the likely benefits and costs (economic and otherwise), as well as likely side effects of alternative ways of dealing with the demands and problems that present themselves to policy makers.

Some reservations are in order.

‘Policy analysis’ lends itself to a wide variety of activities. It is customary to consider it to be the analysis by professionals of problems and alternative ways of dealing with them, with an emphasis on economic assessments of benefits and costs associated with each alternative. However, the term may be employed for more casual assessments, perhaps in a discussion by individuals reasonably well informed, of issues currently on the agenda, and how authorities might deal with them.

Yet another reservation concerns the emphasis in this chapter of external and cultural constraints on policy analysis. Some of those constraints may in fact be the result of decisions taken at an earlier time by Israeli policy analysts and officials. If one external constraint is the frequency and severity of international condemnation, this may reflect attitudes held by outsiders who object to statements or actions of Israeli officials.

It is also appropriate to note that while Israel is a distinctive country of important traits, it also shares many of the traits common to well-to-do democracies. These also shape Israel's politics and public policies.

Constraints

Israel is an especially contentious society, and is often in the world's spotlight. Its own traditions define its people as Chosen by the Almighty, and a light unto the Gentiles.