The Ideas Industry 2014: The Evolution of Foreign Policy Think Tanks

What is the comparative advantage that think tanks offer to the policy universe? Has that comparative advantage changed over time? Has the power and purpose of think tanks changed over the years? Is there any difference between foreign policy think tanks and those devoted to domestic policy as well? How can one measure the “impact” of think tanks on US foreign policy and world politics? On October 14, 2014, The Fletcher School hosted a daylong series of panel discussion on The Ideas Industry: Thinking About Think Tanks at the Tufts University campus in Medford, Massachusetts. Think tanks have been a vital cog in the American foreign policy machine in the past, functioning as both a generator and sounding board for new ideas for generations. Over the past decade, however, questions have been raised about the autonomy and quality of the foreign policy expertise provided by these institutions. Are they becoming more partisan? Is their expertise open for influence from the highest bidder? This evolution of think tanks reflects deeper trends in American society over the past few decades and raising some interesting questions about whether they can continue to play such a role. Has the marketplace of ideas changed, and have think tanks adapted to that change? Has political polarization shunted foreign policy expertise aside? What role do funders play in influencing the output of think tanks? What is the proper relationship between the academy and think tanks? Daniel W. Drezner, The Fletcher School, chair Ted Piccone, Brookings Institution Xenia Wickett, Chatham House James G. McGann, University of Pennsylvania Rachel Bronson, Chicago Council on Global Affairs