Data bank of the Arab elite in Israel for polling purposes
Mada al-Carmel, The Arab Center for Applied Social Research, is announcing a new project, as part of a new public study unit, designed to establish a data bank about of the members of the Arab elite in Israel. The intention is to define this elite, specify its characteristics and features, and clarify their various opinions and public positions.
Since its establishment, Mada al-Carmel center has operated a research unit for the Arab public in Israel, examining the various social and political issues that matter to it. This unit was able to conduct some important studies, gaining the attention of many academicians, researchers, media, political activists and NGOs [non-governmental organizations]. These surveys were published in Mada al-Carmel Center's publications and in Arabic and Hebrew newspapers, while new studies continue to be conducted.
Through their experience with these studies concerning a number of issues, it became clear to the center's director, board and staff, that, in a number of specific cases, a study polling the Arab elite's opinions on certain issues, is necessary. For the most part, these issues do not interest the general public, who seem not to have formed complete opinions about them. The Arab elite's opinions, on the other hand, by definition are on the cutting edge of Arab opinion. Thus, the center has recently established a data bank that would include members of the Arab elite, utilizing internationally accepted professional definitions and standards.
The broadest definition of an elite is a group of people who possess the power to affect the direction or path of change in one or more fields, including politics, education, culture, economy, religion, media, and the work of urban community organizations and NGOs. The elite includes those who are in positions of power in various and essential institutions in society, such as: scholars; members of local authorities; members of the Knesset; members of elected panels in Arab parties; artists; directors and boards of NGOs; religious leaders; and other representatives and social figures.
One of the methods used to survey and study the variety of the elite's opinions and positions, is to directly approach the people who are in key positions in the institutions affecting society. What we are doing at this stage is collecting the names and addresses of such people, as a preliminary step before polling their opinions regarding a variety of issues.