The Israeli parliament (Knesset) Research and Information Center (RIC) has a unique role in Israeli policy analysis. This role is built upon, among other factors, the governance system; the young age of the state of Israel and its parliament in general, and the Research and Information Center in particular; the lack of soundly based policy analysis methods both in the government and in the parliament; and the power of the government, especially the ministry of finance. This chapter describes the background for establishing the RIC, including its rationale and vision; the building of working methods, understanding parliament members’ roles and needs and accordingly defining the product, RIC papers and documents; and branding it as a trustworthy alternative to professional governmental information, resources, including personnel qualifications. The main targets, working methods and outcomes are briefly discussed, followed by insights into RIC's empowerment of parliamentary activity and its importance to the young Israeli democracy.

Literature review

According to James Madison, the fourth president of the United States (in Robinson, 2002), ‘Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and if a people would govern themselves, they must first arm themselves with the power that knowledge brings.’ Robinson pointed out that good research and information can improve the effectiveness of the legislature along several dimensions of parliamentary activity. First, research can improve decision-making on specific policy issues faced by the legislature: reliable facts and analysis can contribute both to better understanding of problems and to more realistic and effective legislative solutions to these problems. Second, research can help improve the institutional dynamics within the legislature. A commonly accepted body of authoritative facts provided by a parliamentary research service can facilitate political agreement by narrowing the range of debate to differences in values, rather than disagreements over the facts of the case. Third, at a political level, the use of high-quality information by the legislature can add to the perceived legitimacy of its actions. Fourth, at the constitutional level, research for the legislature can position it to play a more active role in the national policy process. Legislative research contributes to a more pluralistic political process; it improves decision-making and enhances the legitimacy of the legislature; it can contribute to democracy by giving more people in society an effective voice in making decisions about their own governance.