Think Tanks, Research Influence and Public Policy in India. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singh, Rahul; Sharma, N.N.; Jha, Uday
• Is Part Of: Vision. Volume 18:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 289
• Page End: 297
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: Think Tanks -- Research -- Public Policy -- Funding -- India -- Stakeholder Engagement; Management -- Periodicals; 658
• DOI: 10.1177/0972262914552173
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0972-2629

Abstract

Think tanks have been considered the educated voice on behalf of citizens in practices of government. They are key agencies for discussion on contemporary issues of national and international policy making. Think tanks as powerful agents in the policy making process, sometimes are considered institutions of lobbying. This article is an outcome of focused group (FG) discussions conducted at four locations in India to comprehend the presence and position of think tanks, their research authority and their role and influence in the public policy making process as a stakeholder. The FG discussions with 80 experts captured national perspective on think tanks. The findings of the study suggest that institutional think tanks in India are relatively new phenomena in comparison to the west. In this backdrop, the article analyzes issues of definition and ideology, credibility in research, governance, funding and interaction on policy.