An Analytical Review Of The Role Of Think Tanks In The Governance Systems

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 PhD Student of Public Policy, Faculty of Management and Strategic Planning, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Public Policy, Faculty of Management and Strategic Planning, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jppolicy.2025.102514

Abstract

Think tanks are perceived as core tools within governance systems, influencing elite decision-making processes, framing public issue perceptions, and promoting specific policy solutions. This article employs a systematic review methodology to investigate the role and activities of think tanks in governance, referencing 48 articles most relevant to the research topic from 2017 to 2024. Given that the primary function of think tanks is to provide expert opinions based on detailed research and evidence, they activate the ideas and thoughts of elites through their performance in the boundary space between knowledge and power. Consequently, their involvement shapes policymakers' decisions based on a complex network of Epistemic communities, advocacy coalitions, and discourse coalitions.

Keywords


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