Democratic oversight of the design of the welfare state in Israel

The Welfare State and Trust Lab at the Center for Applied Research examines how social policy design affects public trust and the strength of democracy in Israel. The lab investigates the erosion of the universal welfare state and its links to declining social mobility, equality, and trust in institutions. Based on comprehensive empirical analysis, the lab aims to identify areas of social policy intervention that can restore equality and trust, strengthen public commitment to the law, and improve satisfaction with democracy. Going forward, we intend to translate the findings into actionable policy and test solutions through pilot programs in collaboration with civil society organizations.