Final Think Tank

8/6/2019 Final Think Tank

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/final-think-tank 1/23

The Role of Think Tanks

Muhammad Asadullah

April 21, 2009



Outline� Definition of Think Tank

� Types of think tanks

� Traditional think tank types� Think Tanks in Brief

� Role of Think Tank

� Nature of Think Tank

� How to measure the influence of think tank � Indicators of think tank influence



A think tank (also called a policy institute) is an organization,

institute, corporation, or group that conducts research and engages in

advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economy,science or technology issues, industrial or business policies, or

military advice. Many think tanks are non-profit organizations, which

some countries such as the US and Canada provide with tax exempt

status. While many think tanks are funded by governments, interest

groups, or businesses, some think tanks also derive income from

consulting or research work related to their mandate

What is it«««.???



Types of TT

�Pro government

�Right

�Left

�Pro-market approaches/Free Market

�Globalization

�Faith based



Traditional think tank types� academic

� contract research

� advocacy

� party-affiliated



Think Tanks in Brief One answer to question:

how to organize and deliver

knowledge in ways that support

the pursuit and exercise of

political power?



Role of think tank J. McGann, R. Kent Weaver, ed, Think Tanks & Civil Societies,

Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, 2000, p. 3

(1) playing a mediating function between the government

and the public



Role of think tank (1) playing a mediating function between the government

and the public;

(2) identifying, articulating, and evaluating current or emerging issues, problems or proposals;

(3) transforming ideas and problems into policy issues;

(4) serving as an informed and independent voice in policy

debates;(5) providing a constructive forum for the exchange of

ideas and information between key stakeholders in the

policy formulation process



Nature of Think Tank

� More or less autonomy from states

� More or less autonomy from corporations



How to measure the influence of

think tank

1. I ssue articulation

2. P olicy formulation (such as studies,

evaluation, briefings, testimony,

consultation, networking, iconic projects,

demonstration effects)



Indicators of think tank influence

1. Supply indicators

2. Demand indicators: M edia exposur e,

testimony, br iefings, official

appointments, per ched officials,

consultation by officials or

depar tments/agencies, conducive or r eceptive political envi r onment



Indicators of think tank influence

1. Supply indicators

2. Demand indicators

3. Mission indicators:R

ecommendationsconsider ed or adopted by policymaker s; per ceptions of user s; networ k cent r ality;advisor y r ole to par ties, candidates,t r ansition teams, awar ds, publication in or

citation of publications in academic jour nals,listser v and website dominance, adoption of cont r ar ian positions (that is, opposed toofficial line)



Ex

ample 1: CE

IP and Iraq War

� Bush Administration had to respond

� UN allies floated the idea after briefings

� Congressional testimony

� Media coverage



TTT Example 2: Heritage³change mental maps´

³printer friendly pocket cards´



V irtual Think Tanks

Transnational Think Nets

Enabling conditions:

I nternet + globalization




� global public policy networks

� single issue global social movements

� diasporic networks

� transecting transnational networks



K ey Concepts for


� the information milieu of the global publicsphere is the critical domain for policy articulation

and implementation� because it contains the common knowledge and

shared reference points that are critical tosuccessful negotiation

� seek to identify natural affines that share weak links

� solution to the ³small worlds´ problem



INFOAXIOM 2

www.infoaxioms.orgC ommon Knowledge and Networks

Speed of diffusion varies by weak-strong links (less

processing, less distance, fastest communication in

weakly coupled networks)

Final Think Tank

Documents

Transcript of Final Think Tank