From Policy Research to Political Advocacy: The Changing Role of Think Tanks in American Politics

Abstract

Introduction The relationship between political leaders and those who advise them is critically important to the study of governmental decision making. By providing their expertise to members of Congress, the Executive and the bureaucracy, policy advisors play a vital role in formulating and injecting ideas into the policy-making process. While policy makers in the United States continue to solicit the advice of experts in universities, interest groups, professional and business associations, corporations and law firms, they are relying increasingly on scholars from think tanks or policy research institutions to identify, develop, shape, and at times implement, policy ideas.