Dieter Plehwe: Science and think tanks: A complicated relationship

Policy research institutes (think-tanks) have become prominent actors. They are widely praised for their capacity to conduct relevant research, to innovate, and for reaching out to practitioners. The British Overseas Development Institute underlines the need for 'evidence based' politics, for example, which updates older versions of science-based policy making and technocratic governance. The growing demand for evidence-based policies nurtures the growth of think-tank populations and paradoxically contributes to the diversification and politicization of think-tank purposes. Critiques have pointed out that many think-tanks do not contribute much in terms of original research, because they are mostly involved in editing and formatting tasks arranged by government institutions. The elitist character of many think-tanks contradicts claims to independence and pluralism. Finally, the use of think-tanks by tobacco and oil companies indicates the scientific production of ignorance, now subject of agnotology studies. Regarding science, the character of think tanks is ambivalent.