Are Think Tanks Useful?

Arguments about the contribution of think tanks to public policy remain in spite of the existence of very influential institutions in both Europe and the United States. This argument is rehashed here and provides a definiton then proceeds to traceing the emergence of think tanks in the UK and the policy influence that a select number have had. While this blogger acknowledges readily that the variety of think tanks in the UK and most of the world is no evidence of their utility, it is disingenuous and cynical to state that this influence has been the exception.

An interesting point that may be mentioned is that the quality and utility value of ideas put forth by think tanks is varied and that it is possible that some are sharper with advocacy than with research. It is also incorrect to argue that the only value that think tanks would have is to directly influence policy because those that maintain opposing views possibly cancel each other out. Public education on the workings of the market mechanism and the benefits and costs of alternative economic policies through research forms a significant activity by major think tanks.

Apart from the IEA, the Adam Smith Institute and Globalisation Institute in the UK, there are a number of influential think tanks generating cutting edge research in the UK and other parts of the world. However, the US remains the capital of think tanks with a very rigorous research and publication record in areas of public policy.