At a moment when both think tanks and experts are being questioned, significant policy and technology disruptions have called into question the value and efficacy of policy advice. Within that context, Dr. McGann launched this book to examine the future of think tanks and policy advice around the world with a series of authoritative reflections written by the presidents of some of the leading think tanks in every region of the world. The book explores the challenges think tanks face today in an information rich and highly competitive operating environment that includes: the impact of technology, big data and artificial intelligence, competition from advocacy groups and public relations firms, increased polarization of politics and major changes in how think tanks are funded.
James G. McGann is Senior Lecturer of International Studies at the Lauder Institute at the Wharton School and the School of Arts and Sciences, Director of the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program and Senior Fellow at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the Director of the Think Tanks and Foreign Policy Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
At a moment when both think tanks and experts are being questioned, significant policy and technology disruptions have called into question the value and efficacy of policy advice. Within that context, Dr. McGann launched this book to examine the future of think tanks and policy advice around the world with a series of authoritative reflections written by the presidents of some of the leading think tanks in every region of the world. The book explores the challenges think tanks face today in an information rich and highly competitive operating environment that includes: the impact of technology, big data and artificial intelligence, competition from advocacy groups and public relations firms, increased polarization of politics and major changes in how think tanks are funded.
Explores the challenges think tanks face today in an information-rich and highly competitive operating environment Examines the future of think tanks and policy advice around the world with a series of authoritative reflections Written by the presidents of some of the leading think tanks in every region of the world
James McGann
think tanks globalization policy international organizations international leadership research
“ Expertise has been the subject of abuse in recent years, with opponents ranging from conspiracy-theorists to populist leaders all seeking to denigrate 'elite' academics and experts as out of touch. Think-tanks have been a particular victim of this toxic discourse. Compiling the views of 64 current and former presidents of think tanks around the world, the book provides a fascinating wealth of information, posing probing questions about the place of think-tanks today and tomorrow.”- Dr Shashi Tharoor, M.P., Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, Chairman, All-India Professionals' Congress, India.
“Dr. McGann has been studying the think tank industry for decades and has witnessed endless examples of successful as well as failed institutions; his assessment is solid, convincing, and exceptional in its breath and depth. This is his bible.”
- LuisRubio, Chairman, Mexican Council on Foreign Relations, COMEXI
"At this global inflection point, “The Future of Think Tanks” provides a ground-breaking and thought-provoking analysis of an increasingly influential community and the challenges and opportunities it confronts. Jim McGann and the authors he has assembled provide timely insights into a little-understood but hugely significant world of scholars and actors who help us shape a better world.”
-General James L. Jones, Former United States National Security Advisor and Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe
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