Think Tanks

Definition

Think tanks are independent, non-profit organizations that conduct research, provide analysis, and offer policy recommendations on a wide range of issues. They play a significant role in shaping the policy decisions made by policymakers in the context of 16.4 Policymakers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Think tanks provide policymakers with objective, evidence-based research and analysis to inform their decision-making processes.
2. Many think tanks have a specific ideological orientation, which can influence the framing and focus of their policy recommendations.
3. Think tanks often employ a diverse team of experts, including economists, political scientists, and subject matter specialists, to tackle complex policy issues.
4. The funding sources of think tanks, which can include government agencies, private foundations, and corporate donors, can shape their research agendas and policy positions.
5. Think tanks play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic research and practical policy solutions, serving as intermediaries between the two.

Review Questions

• Explain how think tanks influence the policymaking process.
  • Think tanks play a significant role in the policymaking process by providing policymakers with objective, evidence-based research and analysis. They help to identify and frame policy issues, offer policy alternatives, and advocate for specific policy positions. Through their expertise and influence, think tanks can shape the agenda and inform the decisions made by policymakers, ultimately impacting the policies that are developed and implemented.
• Describe the relationship between the ideological orientation of a think tank and its policy recommendations.
  • The ideological orientation of a think tank can significantly influence the framing and focus of its policy recommendations. Think tanks with a particular political, economic, or social ideology tend to produce research and analysis that aligns with and supports their underlying beliefs. This can lead to the promotion of policy solutions that are consistent with the think tank's ideological leanings, rather than a purely objective and impartial assessment of the issue. Policymakers must be aware of the potential biases inherent in think tank research and recommendations, and consider a range of perspectives before making policy decisions.
• Evaluate the impact of think tank funding sources on their policy recommendations and influence in the policymaking process.
  • The funding sources of think tanks can have a significant impact on their policy recommendations and influence in the policymaking process. Think tanks that receive funding from government agencies, private foundations, or corporate donors may be incentivized to produce research and analysis that aligns with the interests of their funders. This can lead to the promotion of policies that benefit the funders, rather than the public interest. Policymakers must be vigilant in identifying potential conflicts of interest and biases in think tank research, and should seek out a diverse range of policy perspectives to inform their decision-making. Ultimately, the credibility and influence of think tanks is closely tied to their ability to maintain independence and objectivity, regardless of their funding sources.

Related terms

Policy Analysis: The systematic study and evaluation of public policies, including their development, implementation, and impact.

Policy Advocacy: The act of supporting or promoting a particular policy or set of policies to influence decision-makers and the public.

Ideological Orientation: The political, economic, or social beliefs and values that guide the research and recommendations of a think tank.