Civic-Political Thought

The focus of activity in this cluster is the creation of alternative knowledge about citizenship and civic policy and its incorporation into the public discourse.
The cluster includes the following projects:

Religion and Secularism: Between the State and the Economy
Economic changes associated with globalization create new challenges and opportunities for religious and secular groups and new sites of struggle. This research group considers the impact of economic changes on secularization and the role of religion in private and public life. The group will examine this complex relationship through historical, philosophical and political-sociological questions regarding the role of religion in public life, the historical connections between religion and the market economy, the impact of global changes on secularization and the return of religion and the potential for religious-secular cooperation in the quest for economic justice.
Directors: Dr. Yochi Fischer and Dr. Guy Ben-Porat
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A Strategy for the Advancement of Arab Society in Israel
Following studies on NGOs, education, leadership, and economics as part of this project over the past three years, we held a concluding conference on these topics in June 2009 and are in the process of producing publications in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.
In English: Education; NGOs; Leadership; Economics to be published shortly.
Director: Dr. Khaled Abu-Asbah
Coordinator: Asmahan Masri-Herzallah
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Arab Local Government in Israel
The aim of this research project is to prepare analytical studies of the characteristics of the Arab local authorities and their self-governance. As part of the project, papers on a variety of topics related to the local authorities are prepared for publication in a book on the Arab local authorities.
Academic Director: Prof. Aziz Haidar
Coordinator: Hanan Saadi
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Refugees in Israel
Since 2005, many refugees and asylum seekers have reached Israel. Most of them arrive from Africa (Eritrea, Sudan, Congo, Ivory Coast and other countries) through the Egyptian Border. The phenomenon was institutionalized and is now a stable part of the Israeli immigration landscape, and is significant in scope: the number of asylum seekers and refugees is estimated at about 20,000. The immigration of refugees and asylum seekers and the way they are treated in Israel are interesting in view of tensions and fundamental notions at play in Israeli society, such as the human rights and humanitarian discourses, the demographic and security discourse, the relations between state and civil society, centralism and pluralism, the extent to which Israel wishes to be a welfare state, the conflict between local interests and international obligations, etc. This research group will analyze and examine these tensions and others, in what will be the first multi-disciplinary research project on the phenomenon of immigration of refugees to Israel.
Director: Dr. Tally Kritzman-Amir
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Promoting Social Change through Legislation
This discussion group intends to prepare a manual for social activists and representatives of civil society organizations to assist them in developing strategies to harness legislation as a tool for social change and promotion of human rights and social justice. The group will focus on steps geared towards promoting new legislation affecting issues on the public agenda and priorities, as well as methods of blocking harmful government or private legislative initiatives and amendments.
Director: Zehava Galon
Coordinator: Yifat Sollel
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National Youth Service
The purpose of this project is to examine, analyze and clarify several key issues related to the subject of community voluntary service, with particular focus on possible implications for the National Civic Service scheme which is currently evolving in Israel. The project will consist of "round table" meetings, comprising experts – both researchers and practitioners – in the field.
Some of the issues examined will be NYS models in the world and what lessons can be learned from them; financial, occupational and economic implications; and special populations (e.g. ultra-orthodox, Arab youth, youth at-risk, etc.).
Director: Dr. Reuven Gal, former Head of the Administration for National Civic Service, PM's Office
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Civics Education in Israel
This think tank aims to combine the Institute's existing experience, knowledge, and expertise in civic education so as to develop a clear academic and educational agenda for the Institute that will help position it as a leader in academic research, empirical research, and curriculum development. The group will plan a national conference, prepare publications, and define a program for the Institute's future work and research.
Directors: Prof. Hanan Alexander and Dr. Halleli Pinson
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Body, Society and Ethics: Research in Israel
Morality is one of the central aspects of social life. Nevertheless, those who study society and culture are aware that the study of the links between "social life" and "moral life" needs further work, both in terms of conceptualization and comparative empirical research. Over the past two years this research group has tried to develop a unified framework for theoretical discussion and empirical research that will deal with the body and morality in Israel, using a comparative and interdisciplinary approach (sociological, anthropological, legal, psychological, historical, and economic). In January 2009 the group held an international workshop entitled "Body, Moral Discourses and Society: Theoretical and Implemental Issues." The research group will meet this year to produce a book based on its work.
Director: Dr. Sigal Gooldin
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"Security Space": The Territorial Aspect of Security in Israel
This is a collaborative study undertaken by the Institute and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. It focuses on environmental aspects of the security system's land use and their implications for the environment. A position paper containing recommendations for coping with the problems arising from this use was published in 2009.
Director: Dr. Amiram Oren
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