Policy analysis evolution in Israel: building administrative capabilities

This chapter examines how policy analysis has evolved in Israel over time in relation to governmental public administration. The main question addressed in this chapter is how policy is formulated and policy-making capacities have evolved over time in Israel, despite the relative dearth of policy analysis as formalized practice in the public sector. We address this question by examining governmental public administration in its broadest meaning, focusing mainly on the civil service for which government ministers have ministerial responsibility. Since the governmental civil service plays a key institutional role in making and executing policy decisions, this chapter begins by examining the evolution of its role and functioning. We review the basic elements of public administration in Israel and contextualize this description in comparative perspective. Subsequently, we review shifting sector boundaries between the public, private and civic spheres. The chapter concludes with a consideration of how administrative capabilities in Israel can be developed in the years to come.