thinktank

Think tanks are organizations that conduct research and provide analysis on public policy issues. They produce reports, briefings, data sets, and policy recommendations intended to inform lawmakers, officials, and the public. Think tanks may be independent or affiliated with universities, governments, or private firms, and they operate across a wide range of policy areas, including economics, international affairs, security, health, education, and the environment. The term is commonly used for both nonprofit research institutes and advocacy-oriented groups.

Most think tanks fund their work through a mix of grants, contracts, endowments, and donations. Funding sources can influence perceptions of bias, prompting calls for transparency about sponsors, governance, and decision-making processes.

Activities typically include original research, publication of policy reports, policy briefs for non-specialists, statistical analysis, and testimony or briefings to legislators and agencies. Some organizations run programs, host conferences, or provide expert testimony and media commentary to shape public debate.

Critics argue that funding sources and organizational ties can skew research agendas, and that some groups privilege advocacy over rigorous methodology. Proponents contend that think tanks offer valuable, specialized expertise and serve as a bridge between academia and policymaking.

Prominent examples include the Brookings Institution, RAND Corporation, Council on Foreign Relations, Chatham House, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and CSIS. Think tanks operate globally, ranging from publicly funded institutes to private or partisan entities, contributing to the diversity of policy discourse.