History
According to historian Jacob Soll, while the term "think tank" is modern, its concept "can be traced to the humanist academies and scholarly networks of the 16th and 17th centuries." Soll writes that "in Europe, the origins of think tanks go back to the 800s when emperors and kings began arguing with the Catholic Church about taxes. A tradition of hiring teams of independent lawyers to advise monarchs about their financial and political prerogatives against the church spans from Charlemagne all the way to the 17th century, when the kings of France were still arguing about whether they had the right to appoint bishops and receive a cut of their income." Soll cites as an early example the , created in Paris around 1620 by the brothersTypes
Think tanks vary by ideological perspectives, sources of funding, topical emphasis and prospective consumers. Funding may also represent who or what the institution wants to influence; in the United States, for example, "Some donors want to influence votes in Congress or shape public opinion, others want to position themselves or the experts they fund for future government jobs, while others want to push specific areas of research or education." A new trend, resulting from globalization, is collaboration between policy institutes in different countries. For instance, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace operates offices in Washington, D.C., Beijing, Beirut, Brussels and Moscow. TheAdvocacy
In some cases, corporate interests, military interests and political groups have found it useful to create policy institutes, advocacy organizations, and think tanks. For example,Global think tanks
African think tanks
Ghana
Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, set up various state-supported think tanks in the 1960s. By the 1990s, a variety of policy research centers sprang up in Africa set up by academics who sought to influence public policy in Ghana. One such think tank was The Institute of Economic Affairs, Ghana, which was founded in 1989 when the country was ruled by theMorocco
* AMAQUEN, founded in 2003, is a think tank in the field of education through its publications (rapports), international scientific journal ''The Journal of'' ''Quality in Education,'' and international events (CIMQUSEF).Somalia
* Heritage Institute for Policy Studies *South Africa
*Asian think tanks
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has a number of think tanks that are in the form of governmental, non-governmental, and corporate organizations. *Bangladesh
Bangladesh has a number of think tanks that are in the form of governmental, non-governmental, and corporate organizations. *China
In the People's Republic of China a number of think tanks are sponsored by governmental agencies such asHong Kong
In Hong Kong, early think tanks established in the late 1980s and early 1990s focused on political development, including the first direct Legislative Council members election in 1991 and the political framework of " One Country, Two Systems", manifested in theIndia
India has the world's second-largest number of think tanks. Most are based in New Delhi, and a few are government-sponsored. There are few think tanks that promote environmentally responsible and climate resilient ideas likeIndonesia
*Iraq
Over 50 think tanks have emerged in Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan Region. Iraq's leading think tank is the Middle East Research Institute (MERI), based in Erbil. MERI is an independent non-governmental policy research organization, established in 2014 and publishes in English, Kurdish, and Arabic. It was listed in the global ranking by the United States's Lauder Institute of theIsrael
There are many think tank teams in Israel, including: * Shaharit - Creating Common Cause *Japan
Japan has over 100 think tanks, most of which cover not only policy research but also economy, technology and so on. Some are government related, but most of the think tanks are sponsored by the private sector. * Asian Development Bank Institute * Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry * Genron NPO * Global Industrial and Social Progress Research Institute * Institute for International Monetary Affairs * Institute of Developing Economies * The International Academic Forum * Japan Center for International Exchange * Japan Institute for National Fundamentals * Japan Institute of International Affairs * Mitsubishi Research Institute * National Institute for Research Advancement * Rousoukai * Shōwa Kenkyūkai * Tokyo FoundationKazakhstan
Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP) at the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was created in 2003. IWEP activities aimed at research problems of the world economy, international relations, geopolitics, security, integration and Eurasia, as well as the study of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its contribution to the establishment and strengthening of Kazakhstan as an independent state, the development of international cooperation and the promotion of peace and stability. The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the RK (KazISS) was established by the Decree of the President of RK on 16 June 1993. Since its foundation the main mission of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as a national think tank, is to maintain analytical and research support for the President of Kazakhstan.Malaysia
Most Malaysian think tanks are related either to the government or a political party. Historically they focused on defense, politics and policy. However, in recent years, think tanks that focus on international trade, economics, and social sciences have also been founded. Notable think tanks in Malaysia include: *Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) *Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) *Institute for Pioneering of Education and Economic Excellence (INSPIRE) *Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) *Jauhar Academy of Social Sciences (JASS) *Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia (JCI) *Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) *Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)Pakistan
Pakistan's think tanks mainly revolve around social policy, internal politics, foreign security issues, and regional geo-politics. Most of these are centered on the capital, Islamabad. One such think tank is the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), which focuses on policy advocacy and research particularly in the area of environment and social development. Another policy research institute based in Islamabad is the Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (I-SAPS) which works in the fields of education, health, disaster risk reduction, governance, conflict and stabilization. Since 2007 - 2008, I-SAPS has been analyzing public expenditure of federal and provincial governments.Philippines
Think tanks in the Philippines could be generally categorized in terms of their linkages with the national government. Several were set up by the Philippine government for the specific purpose of providing research input into the policy-making process.Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a number of think tanks that are in the form of governmental, non-governmental and corporate organizations. *The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies is a policy-studies institute that is often referred to as a think tank. *LIRNEasia is a think tank working across the Asia-Pacific on regulatory and policy issues. Their main focus is the ICT sector, although they do work in other sectors, such as agriculture and health, which can benefit from ICT. *Verité Research is an interdisciplinary think tank in Colombo.Singapore
There are several think tanks in Singapore that advise the government on various policies and as well as private ones for corporations within the region. Many of them are hosted within the local public educational institutions. Among them are the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.Taiwan
In 2017 Taiwan had 58 think tanks. As in most countries there is a mix of government- and privately-funded think tanks. Taiwanese think tanks in alphabetical order: * Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research * Institute for National Defense and Security Research * Prospect Foundation * Taiwan Asia Exchange Foundation * Taiwan Competitiveness Forum * Taiwan Foundation for Democracy * Taiwan Institute of Economic ResearchThailand
*Thailand Development Research Institute *iLawUnited Arab Emirates
The UAE has been a center for political oriented think tanks which concentrate on both regional and global policy. Notable think tank have emerged in the global debate on terrorism, education & economical policies in the MENA region. Think tanks include: *Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre *Dubai Economic Council *Gulf Research Center *Orient Research CentreUzbekistan
* CED – Center for Economic Development (Центр Содействия Экономическому Развитию) is a think tank whose major tasks are: analytic support in economic reforming and development in Uzbekistan; improving knowledge and skills of the subjects of economic development; assistance in productive dialogue between the government, civil society and private sectors on the economic development matters. Key projects: Preparation of the National human development report for Uzbekistan, Sociological "portrait" of the Uzbek businessman, Preparation of an analytical report on export procedures optimization in Uzbekistan, various industry and marketing researches in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.Oceanian think tanks
Australia
Most Australian think tanks are based at universities – for example, the The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Melbourne Institute – or are government-funded – for example, the Productivity Commission or the CSIRO. Private sources fund about 20 to 30 "independent" Australian think tanks. The best-known of these think tanks play a much more limited role in Australian public and business policy-making than do their equivalents in the United States. However, in the past decade the number of think tanks has increased substantially. Prominent Australian conservative think tanks include the Centre for Independent Studies, the Sydney Institute and the Institute of Public Affairs. Prominent leftist Australian think tanks include the McKell Institute, Per Capita, the Australia Institute, the Lowy Institute for International Policy, Lowy Institute and the Centre for Policy Development. In recent years regionally-based independent and non-partisan think tanks have emerged. Some think tanks, such as the Illawarra's i-eat-drink-think, engage in discussion, research and advocacy within a broader civics framework. Commercial think tanks like the Gartner Group, Access Economics, the Helmsman Institute, and others provide additional insight which complements not-for-profit organisations such as Committee for Economic Development of Australia, CEDA, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors to provide more targeted policy in defence, program governance, corporate governance and similar. Listed in alphabetical order, think tanks based in Australia include: * Air Power Australia * Asia Education Foundation * Asialink * The Australia Institute * Australian Fabian Society * Australian Institute of International Affairs * Australian Institute of Policy & Science * Australian Strategic Policy Institute * The Brisbane Institute * Centre for Independent Studies * Centre for Policy Development * Chifley Research Centre * Committee for Economic Development of Australia * Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) * Crowther Centre for Learning and Innovation * Development Policy Centre * Doctors Reform Society of Australia * Evatt Foundation * Grattan Institute * H. R. Nicholls Society * Infrastructure Partnerships Australia * Institute for Economics and Peace * Institute of Public Affairs * International Energy Centre * International WaterCentre * Issues Deliberation Australia/America * Laboratory for Visionary Architecture * Lowy Institute for International Policy * Mannkal Economic Education Foundation * The Green Institute * The McKell Institute * The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research * Menzies Research Centre * National Civic Council * New South Wales Institute for Educational Research * Per Capita * Samuel Griffith Society * Strategic and Defence Studies Centre * Sydney Institute * Transport and Logistics Centre * United States Studies Centre * Western Australia Policy ForumNew Zealand
Think tanks based in New Zealand include: * Centre for Strategic Studies New Zealand * Child Poverty Action Group (Aotearoa New Zealand) * Helen Clark Foundation * Maxim Institute * McGuinness Institute * Motu Economic and Public Policy Research * New Zealand Centre for Global Studies * New Zealand Initiative * New Zealand Institute of Economic ResearchEuropean think tanks
Belgium
Brussels hosts most of the European Institutions, hence a large number of international think tanks are based there. Notable think tanks are Bruegel (institution), Bruegel, the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Centre for the New Europe (CNE), the ECIPE, European Centre of International Political Economy (ECIPE), the European Policy Centre (EPC), the Friends of Europe, the Global Governance Institute (GGI), Liberales, and Sport and Citizenship, among others.Bulgaria
Bulgaria has a number of think tanks providing expertise and shaping policies, including Institute of Modern Politics.Czech Republic
* The European Values Think-Tank * The Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI)Denmark
* CEPOS is a classic liberal/free-market conservative think tank in Denmark.Finland
Finland has several small think tanks that provide expertise in very specific fields. Notable think tanks include: * Åland Islands Peace Institute * Demos Helsinki * European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) * Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) * Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (Etla) * Finnish Institute of International Affairs In addition to specific independent think tanks, the largest political parties have their own think tank organizations. This is mainly due to support granted by state for such activity. The corporate world has focused their efforts to central representative organization Confederation of Finnish Industries, which acts as think tank in addition to negotiating salaries with workers unions. Furthermore, there is the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (''Elinkeinoelämän valtuuskunta'', EVA). Agricultural and regional interests, associated with The Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (''Maa- ja metsätaloustuottajain Keskusliitto'', MTK) and the Centre Party (Finland), Centre Party, are researched by Pellervo Economic Research (''Pellervon taloustutkimus'', PTT). The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (''Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö'', SAK) and the Social Democratic Party of Finland, Social Democratic Party are associated with the Labour Institute for Economic Research (''Palkansaajien tutkimuslaitos'', PT). The Finns Party established its own think tank, ''Suomen Perusta'', in 2012. Each of these organizations often release forecasts concerning the national economy.France
The Institut français des relations internationales, French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) was founded in 1979 and is the third oldest think tank of western Europe, after Chatham House (UK, 1920) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sweden, 1960). The primary goals of IFRI are to develop applied research in the field of public policy related to international issues, and foster interactive and constructive dialogue between researchers, professionals, and opinion leaders. France also hosts the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), a Paris-based agency of the European Union and think tank researching security issues of relevance for the European Union, EU. There are also a number of pro-business think tanks, notably the Paris-based Fondation Concorde. The foundation focuses on increasing the competitiveness of French SME's and aims to revive entrepreneurship in France. On the left, the main think tanks in France are the Fondation Jean-Jaurès, which is organizationally linked to the French Socialist Party, and Terra Nova (think tank), Terra Nova. Terra Nova is an independent left-leaning think tank, although it is nevertheless considered to be close to the Socialists. It works on producing reports and analyses of current public policy issues from a progressive point of view, and contributing to the intellectual renewal of social democracy. The only French Think Tank mentioned in the "think tanks to watch" list of the 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report is a French think tank created by Gaspard Koenig in 2013, independent from all political parties, which aims at promoting freedoms in France, in terms of fundamental rights, economics and societal issues. GenerationLibre is described as being able to connect to the right on pro business freedom and regulations issues but also to the left on issues such as basic income, gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana.Germany
In Germany all of the major parties are loosely associated with research foundations that play some role in shaping policy, but generally from the more disinterested role of providing research to support policymakers than explicitly proposing policy. These include the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (Christian Democratic Union (Germany), Christian Democratic Union-aligned), the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (Social Democratic Party of Germany, Social Democratic Party-aligned), the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (Christian Social Union of Bavaria, Christian Social Union-aligned), the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (Green Party (Germany), aligned with the Greens), Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Free Democratic Party (Germany), Free Democratic Party-aligned) and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (aligned with The Left (Germany), Die Linke). The German Institute for International and Security Affairs is a foreign policy think tank. Atlantic Community is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization set up as a joint project of Atlantische Initiative e.V. and Atlantic Initiative United States. The Institute for Media and Communication Policy deals with media-related issues. Transparency International is a think tank on the role of corporate and political corruption in international development.Greece
In Greece there are many think tanks, also called research organisations or institutes.Ireland
* The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) is an independent research institute in Dublin, Ireland. Its research focuses on Ireland's economic and social development to inform policy-making and societal understanding. * The Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) focuses on European and International affairs. * The Iona Institute is a conservative, Catholic think tank. * TASC (think-tank), TASC (Think tank for Action on Social Change) is an Irish left-wing think tank. * Transhuman Corporation is a research think tank that focuses on cyber and technology development.Italy
* Bruno Leoni Institute * Future Italy * ISPI – Italian Institute for International Political Studies * Istituto Affari Internazionali * Trinità dei Monti (think tank), Trinità dei MontiLatvia
While think tanks are not widespread in Latvia, as opposed to single-issue advocacy organizations, there are several noticeable institutions in the Latvian think tank landscape: * The oldest think tank in Latvia is the Latvian Institute of International Affairs. LIIA is a non governmental and non partisan foundation, established in 1992, and their research and advocacy mainly focuses on Latvian foreign policy; Transatlantic relations; European Union policies, including its neighborhood policy and Eastern Partnership; and multilateral and bilateral relations with Russia. * Centre for Public policy PROVIDUS is a non governmental and non partisan association, established in 2002. Providus focuses their work (both research and advocacy) on topics especially relevant in transition and post-transition environments and Latvia in particular: good governance; criminal justice policy; tolerance and inclusive public policy and European policy. Several think tanks are established and operate under the auspices of Universities, such as: * Centre for European and transition studies is a think tank working under the auspices of the University of Latvia, the largest public university in the country. CETS was established in 2000. * or Defense research centre in 1992 under the auspices of the National Academy of Defense.Lithuania
Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis (VIPA) is an independent non-governmental, non-profit, non-partisan policy think tank in Lithuania whose mission is to stand for the principles of open society, liberal democracy, rule of law and human rights. VIPA acts via advocacy for strong and safe European Union, analyzing and advocating for anti-authoritarian, transparent, and open governance ideas in Central and Eastern Europe, is an opinion leader offering an alternative opinion to the public versus populism, radicalism, and authoritarian trends, reinforcing active citizens' participation in decision making, analyzing fake news, disinformation, and offering media literacy initiatives, putting forward solutions to improve the accountability, transparency, and openness of Lithuania's public sector, building a network of open society values oriented experts, civil activists and NGO's.Netherlands
All major political parties in the Netherlands have state-sponsored research foundations that play a role in shaping policy. The Dutch government also has its own think tank: the Scientific Council for Government Policy. The Netherlands furthermore hosts the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, or Clingendael Institute, an independent think tank and diplomatic academy which studies various aspects of international relations.Poland
There is a large pool of think tanks in Poland on a wide variety of subjects. The oldest state-sponsored think tank is Western Institute, The Western Institute in Poznań (Polish: ''Instytut Zachodni''). The second oldest is the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) established in 1947. Another notable state-sponsored think tank is the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), which specializes in the countries neighboring Poland and in the Baltic Sea region, the Balkans, Turkey, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Among the private think tanks notable organizations include the Institute for Structural Research (IBS) on economic policy, The Casimir Pulaski Foundation on foreign policy, the Institute of Public Affairs, Poland, Institute of Public Affairs (ISP) on social policy, and the Instytut Sobieskiego, Sobieski Institute.Portugal
Founded in 1970, the SEDES is one of the oldest Portuguese civic associations and think tanks. Contraditório think tank was founded in 2008. Contraditório is a non-profit, independent and non-partisan think tank.Romania
The Romanian Academic Society (SAR), founded in 1996, is a Romanian think tank for policy research.Serbia
The Foundation for the Advancement of Economics (FREN) was founded in 2005 by the University of Belgrade, Belgrade University's University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Economics.Slovakia
Think tanks originating in Slovakia: * GLOBSEC – Global think tank committed to enhancing security, prosperity and sustainability in Europe and throughout the world. * Central European Labour Studies Institute or ''CELSI'' (''Stredoeurópsky inštitút pre výskum práce'' in Slovak language, Slovak) – Central-european think tank which specializes in broadly defined labor issues, labour markets, and labor policy. * Forum Minority Research Institute (''Fórum Kisebbségkutató Intézet'' or ''Fórum Intézet'' in Hungarian language, Hungarian and ''Fórum inštitút pre výskum menšín'' or ''Fórum inštitút'' in Slovak language, Slovak) – Think tank focusing on ethnic minorities living in Slovakia, especially Hungarians. International think tanks with presence in Slovakia: * Institute of Public Affairs (''Inštitút pre verejné otázky'' or ''IVO'' in Slovak language, Slovak) – Australian-based think tank focusing on public policy issues. * Open Society Foundations or ''OSF'' – US-based think thank with an aim of advancing justice, education, public health and independent media. * Martens Centre (via the Anton Tunega Foundation) – Belgium-based think tank and political foundation of the European People's Party (EPP) which embodies a pan-European mindset and promotes Christian-democratic and liberal-conservative political values.Spain
The Elcano Royal Institute was created in 2001 following the example of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in the UK, although it is closely linked to (and receives funding from) the government in power. More independent but clearly to the left of the political spectrum are the Centro de Investigaciones de Relaciones Internacionales y Desarrollo (CIDOB) founded in 1973; and the Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) established in 1999 by Diego Hidalgo and main driving force behind projects such as the Club de Madrid, a group of democratic former heads of state and government, the Foreign Policy Spanish Edition and DARA (international organization), DARA. Former Prime Minister José Maria Aznar presides over the Fundación para el Analisis y los Estudios Sociales (FAES), a policy institute that is associated with the conservative Popular Party (PP). Also linked to the PP is the Grupo de Estudios Estratégicos (GEES), which is known for its defense- and security-related research and analysis. For its part, the Fundación Alternativas is independent but close to left-wing ideas. The Socialist Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE) created Fundación Ideas in 2009 and dissolved it in January 2014. Also in 2009, the centrist Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) created Fundación Progreso y Democracia (FPyD).Sweden
Timbro is a free market think tank and book publisher based in Stockholm.Switzerland
Think tanks based within Switzerland include: *Avenir Suisse, founded in 1999 by fifteen of the largest Swiss companies. It is supported by over 130 companies to date. *DCAF, the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, founded in 2000 to research security sector governance and reform. *Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI), conceived by the Migros-founder Gottlieb Duttweiler in 1946. *Horasis, which hosts the annual Horasis Global Meeting *Liberales Institut, Liberal Institute, founded in 1979.Ukraine
There are more than 100 registered think tanks in Ukraine. For example: * Centre of Policy and Legal Reform (CPLR) * Razumkov Centre is a non-governmental think tank founded in 1994. It carries out research of public policy in the following spheres: domestic policy; state administration; economic policy; energy; land relations; foreign policy; social policy; international and regional security; national security and defense.United Kingdom
In Britain, think tanks play a similar role to the United States, attempting to shape policy, and indeed there is some cooperation between British and American think tanks. For example, the London-based think tank Chatham House and the Council on Foreign Relations were both conceived at the Paris Peace Conference, 1919 and have remained sister organisations. The Bow Group, founded in 1951, is the oldest centre-right think tank and many of its members have gone on to serve as Members of Parliament or Members of the European Parliament. Past chairmen have included Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Party leader Michael Howard, Margaret Thatcher's longest-serving Cabinet Minister Geoffrey Howe, Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont, Baron Lamont of Lerwick, Norman Lamont and former British Telecom chairman Christopher Bland. Since 2000, a number of influential centre right think tanks have emerged including Policy Exchange, Centre for Social Justice and most recently Onward (think tank), Onward.Transcontinental countries (Asia-Europe)
Armenia
According to a 2020 report, there are 32 think tanks or similar institutions in Armenia. The government closed the Noravank Foundation, a government-affiliated think tank, in 2018 after almost two decades of operation. However, other think tanks continue to operate, include the Caucasus Institute, the Caucasus Research Resource Centers, Caucasus Research Resource Center-Armenia (CRRC-Armenia) (which publishes the "Caucasus Barometer" annual public opinion survey of the South Caucasus, the "Enlight" Public Research Center, and the AMBERD research center at the Armenian State University of Economics.Azerbaijan
According to research done by the University of Pennsylvania, there are a total of 12 think tanks in Azerbaijan. The Center for Economic and Social Development, or CESD; in Azeri, Azeri, Azerbaijan, İqtisadi və Sosial İnkişaf Mərkəzi (İSİM) is an Azeri think tank, non-profit organization, NGO based in Baku, Azerbaijan. The center was established in 2005. CESD focuses on policy advocacy and reform, and is involved with policy research and capacity building. The Economic Research Center (ERC) is a policy-research oriented non-profit think tank established in 1999 with a mission to facilitate sustainable economic development and good governance in the new public management system of Azerbaijan. It seeks to do this by building favorable interactions between the public, private and civil society and working with different networks both in local (EITI NGO Coalition, National Budget Group, Public Coalition Against Poverty, etc.) and international levels (PWYP, IBP, ENTO, ALDA, PASOS, WTO NGO Network etc.). The Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan is a governmental, non-profit think tank founded in 2007. It focusses on domestic and foreign policy.Russia
According to the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Russia has 112 think tanks, while Russian think tanks claimed four of the top ten spots in 2011's "Top Thirty Think Tanks in Central and Eastern Europe". Notable Russian think tanks include: * Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation * Carnegie Moscow Center *Institute for US and Canadian Studies *Institute of World Economy and International Relations *Moscow State Institute of International RelationsTurkey
Turkish think tanks are relatively new. There are at least 20 think tanks in the country, both independent and supported by government. Many of them are sister organizations of political parties, universities or companies some are independent and others are supported by government. Most Turkish think tanks provide research and ideas, yet they play less important roles in policy making than American think tanks. Turksam, Tasam and the ''Journal of Turkish Weekly'' are the leading information sources. The oldest and most influential think tank in Turkey is ESAM (The Center for Economic and Social Research; tr, Ekonomik ve Sosyal Araştırmalar Merkezi) which was established in 1969 and has headquarters in Ankara. There are also branch offices of ESAM in Istanbul, Bursa, Konya and elsewhere. ESAM has strong international relationships, especially with Muslim countries and societies. Ideologically it performs policies, produces ideas and manages projects in parallel to Milli Görüş and also influences political parties and international strategies. The founder and leader of Milli Görüş, Necmettin Erbakan, was very concerned with the activities and brainstorming events of ESAM. In The Republic of Turkey, two presidents, four prime ministers, various ministers, many members of the parliament, and numerous mayors and bureaucrats have been members of ESAM. Currently the General Chairman of ESAM is Recai Kutan (former minister for two different ministries, former main opposition party leader, and founder and General Chairman of the Saadet Party). The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) is another leading think thank. Established in 1994, TESEV is an independent non-governmental think tank, analyzing social, political and economic policy issues facing Turkey. TESEV has raised issues about Islam and democracy, combating corruption, state reform, and transparency and accountability. TESEV serve as a bridge between academic research and policy-making. Its core program areas are democratization, good governance, and foreign policy. Other notable Turkish think tanks are the International Strategic Research Organisation (USAK), the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), and the Turkish think tanks#BİLGESAM, Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies (BİLGESAM).North American think tanks
Canada
Canada has many notable think tanks (listed in alphabetical order). Each has specific areas of interest with some overlaps. * Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada * Atlantic Institute for Market Studies * Broadbent Institute * C. D. Howe Institute, C.D. Howe Institute * Caledon Institute of Social Policy * Canada West Foundation * Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives * Canadian Global Affairs Institute * Canadian Institute for Advanced Research * Canadian International Council * Canadian Policy Research Networks (disbanded) * Canadian Tax Foundation * Cardus * Centre for International Governance Innovation * Conference Board of Canada * Council of Canadians * Fraser Institute * Frontier Centre for Public Policy * Institute for Quantum Computing * Institute for Research on Public Policy * Institute on Governance * International Institute for Sustainable Development * International Policy Forum * Montreal Economic Institute * Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation * National Citizens Coalition * North-South Institute * Parkland Institute * Pembina Institute * Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics * Public Policy ForumMexico
*CIDAC – The Center of Research for Development (Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo, Asociación Civil) is a not-for-profit think tank that undertakes research and proposes viable policy options for Mexico's economic and democratic development. The organization seeks to promote open, pluralistic debate pursuing: the Rule of Law & Democracy, market economics, social development, and strengthening Mexico-United States relations. *Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas, CIDE – The Center of Research and Economics Teaching (Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas) is a think tank institute focussing on "public policies", "public choice", "democracy", and "economy". *COMEXI – The Mexican Council of International Affairs (Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales).United States
As the classification is most often used today, the oldest American think tank is the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, founded in 1910.Thomas Medvetz, "'Think Tanks in America" (2012) Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press The Institute for Government Research, which later merged with two organizations to form the= U.S. Government think tanks
= Government think tanks are also important in the United States, particularly in the security and defense field. These include the Center for Technology and National Security Policy at the National Defense University, the Center for Naval Warfare Studies at the Naval War College, and the Strategic Studies Institute at the U.S. Army War College. The government funds, wholly or in part, activities at approximately 30 Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). FFRDCs, are unique independent nonprofit entities sponsored and funded by the United States government to meet specific long-term technical needs that cannot be met by any other single organization. FFRDCs typically assist government agencies with scientific research and analysis, systems development, and systems acquisition. They bring together the expertise and outlook of government, industry, and academia to solve complex technical problems. These FFRDCs include the RAND Corporation, the MITRE Corporation, the Institute for Defense Analyses, the Aerospace Corporation, the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and other organizations supporting various departments within the United States Government. Similar to the above quasi-governmental organizations are Federal Advisory Committee Act, Federal Advisory Committees. These groups, sometimes referred to as commissions, are a form of think tank dedicated to advising the US Presidents or the Executive branch of government. They typically focus on a specific issue and as such, might be considered similar to special interest groups. However, unlike special interest groups these committees have come under some oversight regulation and are required to make formal records available to the public. As of 2002, about 1,000 of these advisory committees were described in the FACA searchable database.South American think tanks
Research done by Enrique Mendizabal shows that South American think tanks play various roles depending on their origins, historical development and relations to other policy actors. In this study, Orazio Bellettini from Grupo FARO suggests that they: * Seek political support for policies. * Legitimize policies – This has been clearer in Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. New governments in Ecuador and Peru have approached policy institutes for support for already defined policies. In Bolivia, the government of Evo Morales has been working with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other research institutes to do the same. However, in Chile, many think tanks during the 1990s seemed to endorse and maintain the legitimacy of policies implemented during the previous decade by Military government of Chile (1973–1990), the military dictatorship headed by Pinochet. * Spaces of debate – In this case think tanks serve as sounding boards for new policies. In Chile, during the Pinochet dictatorship, many left wing intellectuals and researchers found 'asylum' in think tanks. In Ecuador, think tanks are seen as spaces where politicians can test the soundness of their policies and government plans. * Financial channels for political parties or other interest groups – In Ecuador and Bolivia, German foundations have been able to provide funds to think tanks that work with certain political parties. This method has provided support to the system as a whole rather than individual CSOs. * Expert cadres of policy-makers and politicians – In Peru after the end of the Alberto Fujimori, Fujimori regime, and in Chile after the fall of Pinochet, think tank staff left to form part of the new governments. In the United States, the role of major think tanks is precisely that: host scholars for a few months or years and then lose them to government employ. How a policy institute addresses these largely depends on how they work, their ideology vs. evidence credentials, and the context in which they operate including funding opportunities, the degree and type of competition they have and their staff. This functional method addresses the inherit challenge of defining a think tank. As Simon James said in 1998, "Discussion of think tanks...has a tendency to get bogged down in the vexed question of defining what we mean by 'think tank'—an exercise that often degenerates into futile semantics." It is better (as in the Network Functions Approach) to describe what the organisation should do. Then the shape of the organisation should follow to allow this to happen. The following framework (based on Stephen Yeo's description of think tanks' mode of work) is described in Enrique Mendizabal's blog "onthinktanks": First, policy institutes may work in or base their funding on one or more of: * Independent research: this would be work done with core or flexible funding that allows the researchers the liberty to choose their research questions and method. It may be long term and could emphasize 'big ideas' without direct policy relevance. However, it could emphasize a major policy problem that requires a thorough research and action investment. * Consultancy: this would be work done by commission with specific clients and addressing one or two major questions. Consultancies often respond to an existing agenda. * Influencing/advocacy: this would be work done by communications, capacity development, networking, campaigns, lobbying, etc. It is likely to be based on research based evidence emerging from independent research or consultancies. Second, policy institutes may base their work or arguments on: * Ideology, values or interests * Applied, empirical or synthesis research * Theoretical or academic research According to the National Institute for Research Advancement, a Japanese policy institute, think tanks are "one of the main policy actors in democratic societies ..., assuring a pluralistic, open and accountable process of policy analysis, research, decision-making and evaluation". A study in early 2009 found a total of 5,465 think tanks worldwide. Of that number, 1,777 were based in the United States and approximately 350 in Washington, DC, alone.Argentina
As of 2009, Science and technology in Argentina, Argentina is home to 122 think tanks, many specializing in public policy andBrazil
Working on public policies, Brazil hosts, for example, Instituto Liberdade, a University-based Center at Tecnopuc inside the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, located in the South Region of the country, in the city of Porto Alegre. Instituto Liberdade is among the Top 40 think tanks in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the 2009 Global Go To Think Tanks Index a report from the University of Pennsylvania's Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP). Fundação Getulio Vargas (Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV)) is a Brazilian higher education institution. Its original goal was to train people for the country's public- and private-sector management. Today it hosts faculties (Law, Business, Economics, Social Sciences and Mathematics), libraries, and also research centers in Rio, São Paulo and Brasilia. It is considered by ''Foreign Policy'' magazine to be a top-five "policymaker think tank" worldwide. The Igarapé Institute is a Brazilian think tank focusing on public, climate, and digital security.Public opinion
A poll by the British firm Cast From Clay found that only 20 percent of Americans trust think tanks.See also
* Collective intelligence * Futurists * Internet think tanks * List of think tanks * Lobbying * Mass collaboration * Mass communication * Overton window * School of thought * Strategic studies * TED (conference)References
Further reading
* Abelson, Donald E. ''Do Think Tanks Matter? Assessing the Impact of Public Policy Institutes.'' Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2002. * Arin, Kubilay Yado: ''Think Tanks, the Brain Trusts of US Foreign Policy''. Wiesbaden: VS Springer 2013. * Boucher, Stephen, et al., ''Europe and its think tanks; a promise to be fulfilled. An analysis of think tanks specialised in European policy issues in the enlarged European Union'', Studies and Research No 35, October, Paris, Notre Europe, 200