final think tank
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The Role of Think Tanks
Muhammad Asadullah
April 21, 2009
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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
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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«««.???
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Types of TT
�Pro government
�Right
�Left
�Pro-market approaches/Free Market
�Globalization
�Faith based
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Traditional think tank types� academic
� contract research
� advocacy
� party-affiliated
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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?
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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
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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
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Nature of Think Tank
� More or less autonomy from states
� More or less autonomy from corporations
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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)
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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
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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)
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Ex
ample 1: CE
IP and Iraq War
� Bush Administration had to respond
� UN allies floated the idea after briefings
� Congressional testimony
� Media coverage
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TTT Example 2: Heritage³change mental maps´
³printer friendly pocket cards´
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V irtual Think Tanks
Transnational Think Nets
Enabling conditions:
I nternet + globalization
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Transnational Think Nets
� global public policy networks
� single issue global social movements
� diasporic networks
� transecting transnational networks
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K ey Concepts for
Transnational Think Nets
� 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
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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)