Think Tanks' and Public Policy

Bibliographic Data

ID4944235
AuthorsColin S Gray (Professional staff, Hudson Institute, Croton-on-Hudson, NY, corresponding author)
Year1978
Volume33
Issue1
Pages177-194
Publication date1978-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal Canada s Journal of Global Policy Analysis (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-7020 • E-ISSN: 2052-465X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/002070207803300110
OpenAlexW2320760423
LanguageEN
Citations received11

diverse in the quality of its output and its impact upon the public weal. Nevertheless, despite this heterogeneity, fairly clear general, and very specific, assessments can be offered. Institutionally speaking, the think tank stands between the university and government. At its best (a condition rarely attained) the think tank is in the business of solving, or helping to solve, complex problems. Very often, this problem-solving function requires the devotion of major attention to the area of problem definition (on the grounds that if you ask the wrong questions, you are very likely to generate the wrong answers). This problem-solving theme is distinct from the primary duties of public officials and of academics.1 Government tends to be too preoccupied with the orderly administration of today's business to worry about either tomorrow's problems or whether today's business is addressed to the most important questions. Modern government, in any industrialized country (regardless of state ideology), is so complex an administrative enterprise, that seaworthiness inevitably takes pride of place over navigation. For most officials, most of the time, policy is beyond serious

Economics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public policy · Think tanks · Law · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration

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