Armacost Library: IR 400: International Relations Capstone: Think Tanks / Policy Institutes

Think Tanks

Think tanks (or policy institutes) are organizations or groups that conduct research and engage in advocacy on social policy, political strategy, economics, science or technology issues, industrial or business policies, and military plannning. Many think tanks are non-profit organizations.

Selected Think Tanks

Rand Corporation
Nonprofit global policy think tank first formed to offer research and analysis to the United States armed forces. Now works with other governments, private foundations, international organizations, and commercial organizations on a variety of non-defense issues
Pew Research Center
Organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States and the world
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Established as part of the Smithsonian Institution by an act of Congress. Stated goals are to foster research, study, discussion, and collaboration among a full spectrum of individuals concerned with policy and scholarship in national and world affairs"
Brookings Institution
Conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and global economy and development
Cato Institute
Libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Center for American Progress
Progressive public policy research and advocacy organization. Stated purpose is to "improve the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action"
Claremont Institute
Conservative think tank based in Claremont, California, and dedicated to "restoring the principles of the American founding fathers to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life"
Council on Foreign Relations
Nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs
Heritage Foundation
Conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. with a stated mission to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense"
Hoover Institution
Public policy think tank located at Stanford University, and part of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace
Institute for Policy Studies
Progressive think tank based in Washington, D.C