US Think Tanks and the Politics of Expertise: Role, Value and Impact

Ahmad, Mahmood

doi:10.1111/j.1467-923x.2008.00964.x

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…An additional perspective on the academic-policy interface identified the forms that interventions by academics into the policy process take. In most cases, these focused on knowledge dissemination, which traditionally includes policy-related research (Vedung 2010;Ward et al 2011), the preparation of policy papers (Huberman 1990;Ahmad 2008), and the dissemination of research findings through personal communication (Lavis et al 2003). Additional forms of policy engagement were policy consultations (to governmental bodies, think tanks or third sector organizations), leadership or membership in formal committees or taskforces, and even decision-making positions (Bond and Paterson 2005;Donnison 2000;McLennan et al 2005).…”

Section: Academics As Policy Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teacher, Researcher and … Policy Actor? Social Work Academics’ Involvement in Social Policy

2015

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This cross‐sectional quantitative study expands the knowledge on the level of involvement of social work academics (SWAs) in social policy formulation processes, and the factors associated with this. SWAs are an interesting case for exploring the academia–policy nexus because they are affiliated with a profession in which the discourse regards social policy as a target of intervention. The study took place in Israel, where social work is strongly embedded in academia and enjoys relatively high professional status. The study drew upon a sample, which consisted of 57 per cent of all SWAs in Israel, and employed questionnaires developed specifically for the study. The findings show that the highest levels of involvement were in activities characterized by more active, public sphere routes of influence within the policy arena that were undertaken in conjunction with traditional social work partners. Social work scholars engaged in these activities more during the initial stages of the policy process. These forms of policy involvement reflect the dual impact of academia and the social work profession upon SWAs. Associated with level of involvement were individual factors, which included academic rank, perception of the social role of academia, perceived individual policy role, and perceived policy competencies. By contrast, factors linked to institutional support for policy engagement were not found to be associated with policy involvement.

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Section: Academics As Policy Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teacher, Researcher and … Policy Actor? Social Work Academics’ Involvement in Social Policy

2015

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“…12 The IPR's influence on the field of Asia studies and among expert observers and government officials was so strong because the discipline was small and the organization had little competition. 13 As American interaction with Asian countries increased, so did the reliance of U.S. government officials on the IPR for information and analysis. During World War II, they had to lean especially hard on the IPR, the only expert group focusing on Pacific affairs, because the potential pool of specialists was so shallow and the level of common knowledge so low.…”

Section: Conspiracy Theorists Have Viewed the Council On Foreign Relamentioning

confidence: 99%

Think Tanks and a New Order in East Asia

Barnes

2015

J Am East Asian Relat

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This article considers the work of American think tanks in foreign policy-making immediately before and during World War ii. It argues that two well established organizations, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Institute of Pacific Relations, were particularly influential. Both became involved in government planning for future u.s. policy in East Asia through their wartime programs. They collaborated with official u.s. government planners through outsourcing projects, hosted official and unofficial discussion groups and conferences, supported networking, and funded policy-relevant research and publications. The activities of these two organizations helped to define the range of policy options planners and politicians considered, include the ideas of outside experts into the work of government, and facilitate cooperation between the United States and its allies on postwar planning. The interaction between the u.s. government and interwar think tanks had a lasting impact on American-East Asian relations.

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“…Indeed, it is noticeable how some within CSA (see, for example, Le Grand 2007) have, like a number of their influential predecessors in TSA (see Thornton 2009) taken on the role of the policy entrepreneur. This has involved the adoption of an advocacy think tank approach which aims to promote more 'partisan' forms of policy (see Ahmad 2008). Although these Social Policy & Administration, Vol.…”

Section: Contemporary Social Administration and New Labourmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Changing Face of Social Administration

Page

2010

Social Policy &Amp; Administration

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This article explores the changing nature of the discipline of Social Administration in the post-1945 era. The vigorous challenge to Traditional Social Administration in the 1970s and 1980s did not lead, as some had feared, to the demise of the subject's applied, problem-solving, ethos. Within the broader discipline of Social Policy, the Social Administration perspective adapted and evolved. While retaining some elements of Traditional Social Administration namely, empiricism and a problem focus, the emergence of Contemporary Social Administration represents a significant and distinctive change in this sphere of academic enquiry.

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US Think Tanks and the Politics of Expertise: Role, Value and Impact

Cited by 25 publications

References 5 publications

Teacher, Researcher and … Policy Actor? Social Work Academics’ Involvement in Social Policy

Teacher, Researcher and … Policy Actor? Social Work Academics’ Involvement in Social Policy

Think Tanks and a New Order in East Asia

The Changing Face of Social Administration

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