Think Tanks

Functions of think tanks

The main function of a think tank are as follows:

1. Research areas of expertise and interest.
2. Use findings to influence governmental policies.

Think tanks may do this by using an array of resources to forward their research, this could be through conversations with media publications, directly speaking to their political connections or collaborating with civil servants and an array of other organisations that operate within the policy sphere. The fact that think tank membership is almost exclusively experts in their field. As a result, they have the potential to have more political clout than an interest group.

Fig. 2 - Margaret Thatcher, Conservative leader during the 1980s

The function of think tanks is to act as a source of expert knowledge and a place in which innovative ideas and approaches can be created. Think tanks function as intermediaries through the facilitation of an exchange of information.¹ James Smith describes think tanks as 'idea brokers' given the fact that they can act as conduits between the academic and political spheres. As recently as 2022, the Centre for Policy Studies suggested that communities should have more control when it comes to planning for new housing making this research beneficial for popularity when the policy is created.²

Think tanks are often viewed as a source of credible information that provides research in a manner that is easily understandable to those who have the power to make policy decisions. Members of Parliament are not experts in every field in the vast breadth of policymaking. They can therefore continually rely on their trusted think tanks when evaluating different proposals. Crucially, this information is always presented for the layman to digest.

Think tanks are not to be confused with pressure groups. Unlike pressure groups, think tanks do not engage in direct campaigns for changes to policies. They are also associated with impartiality, presenting their points through research, even if they do often have an agenda or particular political affiliation. Pressure groups have a greater emphasis on ideology.

Think tank governance structure

In the UK think tanks are not official parts of government structures. In fact, most think tanks are non-governmental institutions that operate within the charity sector. Think tanks are usually funded by charitable groups and organisations.

The governance structure of think tanks usually comprises a board, executive direction, senior managers and institutional structure.

The function of the boards of think tanks is to make sure the think tank in question stays focused on its mission and has access to adequate resources to undergo its research.

Examples of think tanks

In the United Kingdom, there are more than 120 think tanks. These cover everything from housing to immigration. Let's dive into some of the prominent ones!

The Runnymede Trust

The Runnymede Trust is a non-partisan think tank that is focused on matters of racial injustice in the UK. The Think Tank was established in 1968 and has been at the forefront of providing research and policy recommendation in a bid to tackle racial injustice and move towards racial equality. The Runnymede Trust has contributed to the decolonisation of the UK higher education curriculum and has worked to challenge the government's immigration decisions, with particular respect to the Windrush Scandal.

The Fabian Society

The Fabian Society is a socialist think tank that is credited as being the first think tank to have emerged in the UK. The Fabian Society was founded in 1884 and is a left-wing think tank with close ties to the Labour Party. The Fabian Society served to influence a number of Labour policies during Labour's time as the party of leadership and a number of Labour PMs have been a part of the Fabian Society such as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. The Fabian Society is an example of an incredibly partisan think tank and is one that would not have much sway with a leadership party such as the conservatives due to its long-standing Labour affiliations. In the 21st century, they have focused on childcare and the economic burden that it places on families.

The Bow Group

The Bow Group is a right-wing think tank that forwards conservative policies, research and agendas. The think tank has a journal that is published quarterly, where the think tank's research and policy agenda is publicised. The Bow Group was established in 1951 to provide a viable opposition to the Fabian Society and has seen a number of Conservative Party members join its ranks. In the 1970s and the 1980s, the Bow Group along with other right-wing think tanks were influential in influencing Thatcher's conservative economic policies and pushing a post-Keynesianism. Former Conservative Prime Minster John Major served as the head of the Bow Group in 2012 further highlighting the think tank's close affinity to the Conservative Party. Most recently, the research has focused on Covid-19 and immigration.

Fig. 3 - Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2002

Other Think Tanks

A number of other think tanks have served to be incredibly influential over UK government policy, such as the Open EU think tank. This think tank was concerned with analysing the relationship between the EU and the UK. The open EU think tank was responsible for producing the static that highlighted the UK's £33 million pound annual contribution to the European Union. This statistic was then used by pro-Brexit politicians (particularly members of the UK Independence Party) as justification for the UK's removal from the EU. It was suggested that if the UK was removed from the EU this £33 million could instead be invested in the NHS. This was used largely as a ploy to gain the support of the UK population.

Think tanks: overview

Whilst think tanks are described as a collection of experts, this may not always be exclusively the case as Misztal notes.

Despite this critique, think tanks generally provide a bridge between 'scholars' and policymakers and are influential in influencing government agendas. Unlike the Civil Service which operates under the control of the UK government, think tanks provide an outsider voice on a wide array of matters which serve to help the government implement knowledge-based policies.