Forum for the Future of Aid

2007 Survey of Think Tanks: A Summary Report

Foreign Policy Research Institute

The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program is pleased to announce the publication of Global Trends and Transitions: 2007 Survey of Think Tanks, an in-depth survey of all known public policy research organizations, or “think tanks,”worldwide. James McGann, Director of the Think Tank and Civil Societies Program “the‘think tanks’think tank”specializes in the study of research organizations; the survey was carried out in order to develop an empirical base for further research on trends that are currently affecting think tanks. The findings contained in the report are a follow up to the 1999 comprehensive assessment of this class of institutions. We expect that this study will make a major contribution to the understanding of public policy research organizations, and is likely to become an important reference point for donors, policy makers, and civil society groups that are interested in working with these important institutions. A summary of the findings is provided below.

Summary of Key Findings
-Decline in growth of think tanks worldwide but especially in Africa and Eastern Europe.
-Increased specialization of research topics and agendas
-Dramatic decline in research on environmental issues and rise in research focused on international development and cooperation.
-Major shift away from advocacy oriented activities
-Move away form producing books in US and Canada and a global increase in the production of policy briefs
-The vast majority of think thanks in the world operate with relatively small staffs and budgets.
-An elite class of mega think tanks that operate on the national, regional and global level tend to have large staffs and budgets.
-Media and internet have become a major market for think tank products.
-Think thanks are facing increased competition from For-Profit Consulting Firms,24/7 Cable News Networks, Government Organized NonGovernmental Organizations (GONGOS)and Lobbying and Advocacy Groups

The on-going challenge for think tanks is to produce timely and accessible policy oriented research that effectively engages policymakers, the press and the public on the critical issues facing a country. Gone are the days when a think tank could operate with the motto “research it, write it and they will find it.” Today, think tanks must be lean, mean, policy machines that produce research and analysis that is understandable and accessible for policy makers and the public. The Economist described “good think tanks” as those organizations that are able to combine “intellectual depth, political influence, and flair for publicity, comfortable surroundings, and a streak of eccentricity.” Those who fail to organize and integrate these qualities into their think tank will become known for their “pedantry, irrelevance, obscurity, poverty and conventionality.” Many think tanks have already successfully met this challenge and are now playing a critical role in bridging the divide between the academic and policy communities and between policy makers and the public. For all the reasons outlined in this summary report, independent think tanks will continue to play a critical role in the policy making process. Clearly, there is no shortage of policy challenges at the national, regional and global level. The world we live in can be characterized by what someone described as “The Four Mores.” More issues, more actors, more competition and more conflict. Over the last 10-15 years, governments and civil society groups have come to rely on thinks tanks for ideas, evidence and advice and I am confident that this trend will continue well into the future.

Click on the attachment below to read the full report

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