Think tank - Revision history

General-KJ: Added category

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Added category

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	== References ==		== References ==
	<references />		<references />
			[[Category:Think tanks]]

Verda.Majo: added information on "manufacturing doubt and controversy"; rearranged some existing paragraphs into sections

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added information on "manufacturing doubt and controversy"; rearranged some existing paragraphs into sections

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	In [[Capitalism\|capitalist]] society, capitalist-backed think tanks serve as a tool of the [[Bourgeoisie\|capitalist class]] in which various sections of the bourgeoisie may work out domestic and foreign policy consensus among themselves to then be formalized in the governance structures of the bourgeois [[state]], among other functions.<ref name=":1">{{Citation\|author=G. William Domhoff\|year=2014\|title=The Council on Foreign Relations and the Grand Area: Case Studies on the Origins of the IMF and the Vietnam War\|title-url=https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/classracecorporatepower/vol2/iss1/1/\|pdf=https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=classracecorporatepower\|publisher=Class, Race and Corporate Power\|doi=10.25148/CRCP.2.1.16092111}}</ref> Some examples of influential think tanks of the [[imperial core]] include the [[Brookings Institution]], [[The Heritage Foundation]], the [[Council on Foreign Relations]], the [[RAND Corporation]], [[Chatham House]], the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], and the [[Atlantic Council]].<ref name=":0" /> The US-based [[National Endowment for Democracy]] (NED), a [[Central Intelligence Agency\|CIA]] cutout which contributes to fostering [[Color revolution\|color revolutions]] in various countries, also coordinates a global network of think tanks of approximately 80 member organizations in 50 countries, known as the [[Network of Democracy Research Institutes]] (NDRI).<ref>{{Web citation\|newspaper=National Endowment for Democracy\|title=Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI)\|url=https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914170513/https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/\|archive-date=2025-09-14\|quote=The Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI) is a global network of think tanks that conduct research and analysis on democracy, democratization, and related topics in comparative government and international affairs. The NDRI is a key network of the World Movement for Democracy and is coordinated by the NED’s International Form for Democratic Studies.}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation\|newspaper=National Endowment for Democracy\|title=NDRI Member Institutes\|url=https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/ndri-member-institutes/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914170654/https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/ndri-member-institutes/\|archive-date=2025-09-14\|quote=The Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI) is a global think tank network with approximately 80 member organizations from 50 countries representing every region in the world. Member institutes include: International think tanks; Independent research institutions; University-based study centers; Research programs affiliated with democracy advocacy groups, human rights organizations, and other NGOs}}</ref>		In [[Capitalism\|capitalist]] society, capitalist-backed think tanks serve as a tool of the [[Bourgeoisie\|capitalist class]] in which various sections of the bourgeoisie may work out domestic and foreign policy consensus among themselves to then be formalized in the governance structures of the bourgeois [[state]], among other functions.<ref name=":1">{{Citation\|author=G. William Domhoff\|year=2014\|title=The Council on Foreign Relations and the Grand Area: Case Studies on the Origins of the IMF and the Vietnam War\|title-url=https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/classracecorporatepower/vol2/iss1/1/\|pdf=https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=classracecorporatepower\|publisher=Class, Race and Corporate Power\|doi=10.25148/CRCP.2.1.16092111}}</ref> Some examples of influential think tanks of the [[imperial core]] include the [[Brookings Institution]], [[The Heritage Foundation]], the [[Council on Foreign Relations]], the [[RAND Corporation]], [[Chatham House]], the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], and the [[Atlantic Council]].<ref name=":0" /> The US-based [[National Endowment for Democracy]] (NED), a [[Central Intelligence Agency\|CIA]] cutout which contributes to fostering [[Color revolution\|color revolutions]] in various countries, also coordinates a global network of think tanks of approximately 80 member organizations in 50 countries, known as the [[Network of Democracy Research Institutes]] (NDRI).<ref>{{Web citation\|newspaper=National Endowment for Democracy\|title=Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI)\|url=https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914170513/https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/\|archive-date=2025-09-14\|quote=The Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI) is a global network of think tanks that conduct research and analysis on democracy, democratization, and related topics in comparative government and international affairs. The NDRI is a key network of the World Movement for Democracy and is coordinated by the NED’s International Form for Democratic Studies.}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation\|newspaper=National Endowment for Democracy\|title=NDRI Member Institutes\|url=https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/ndri-member-institutes/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914170654/https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/ndri-member-institutes/\|archive-date=2025-09-14\|quote=The Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI) is a global think tank network with approximately 80 member organizations from 50 countries representing every region in the world. Member institutes include: International think tanks; Independent research institutions; University-based study centers; Research programs affiliated with democracy advocacy groups, human rights organizations, and other NGOs}}</ref>

			=== Functions ===
			Bourgeois think tanks serve additional functions beyond managing and negotiating the policy interests of the bourgeoisie's factions. Among their other functions, think tanks provide forums in which the "[[revolving door]]" of public and private interests may semi-publicly network amongst themselves and obtain information, influence, training, career opportunities, and funding whilst legitimizing themselves as "experts" in the public eye. Think tanks can provide an informal training ground for new leadership and spokespeople as well as an informal recruiting ground for "policy experts" to become aides or appointees of corporate leaders that take government positions. Think tanks are also a forum through which capitalists can convey their "concerns, goals, and expectations to those young experts and young professors that want to further their careers" by receiving foundation grants or invitations to work or participate in discussions at think tanks.<ref name=":1" />

			==== Role in military-industrial complex ====
	Bourgeois think tanks can serve a [[marketing]] role for various industries, for example the Atlantic Council has been described as the "marketing arm of the [[Military–industrial complex\|military-security complex]]."<ref name=":2">{{Web citation\|author=Valeriy Krylko\|newspaper=CovertAction Magazine\|title=War Mongering, CIA-Connected Think-Tank Calls For World War III\|date=2023-04-04\|url=https://covertactionmagazine.com/2023/04/04/war-mongering-cia-connected-think-tank-calls-for-world-war-iii/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914171809/https://covertactionmagazine.com/2023/04/04/war-mongering-cia-connected-think-tank-calls-for-world-war-iii/\|archive-date=2025-09-14}}</ref> Many think tanks which receive funding from [[Defense contractor\|defense contractors]] who themselves are awarded government funding promote war-hawk policies when they consult with or obtain positions in government, thus fueling their war-based funding cycle.<ref>{{Web citation\|author=Robert Parry\|newspaper=New Cold War\|title=The Nulands: A family business of perpetual war\|date=2015-03-22\|url=https://newcoldwar.org/the-nulands-a-family-business-of-perpetual-war/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823214136/https://newcoldwar.org/the-nulands-a-family-business-of-perpetual-war/\|archive-date=2025-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation\|author=Lee Fang\|newspaper=The Intercept\|title=Intelligence Contract Funneled to Pro-War Think Tank Establishment\|date=2021-09-05\|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/09/15/pentagon-funding-think-tanks/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818195926/https://theintercept.com/2021/09/15/pentagon-funding-think-tanks/\|archive-date=2025-08-18}}</ref> Due to such dynamics, think tanks are included in the expanded "[[MICIMATT]]" model of the Military-Industrial Complex.<ref name=":2" />		Bourgeois think tanks can serve a [[marketing]] role for various industries, for example the Atlantic Council has been described as the "marketing arm of the [[Military–industrial complex\|military-security complex]]."<ref name=":2">{{Web citation\|author=Valeriy Krylko\|newspaper=CovertAction Magazine\|title=War Mongering, CIA-Connected Think-Tank Calls For World War III\|date=2023-04-04\|url=https://covertactionmagazine.com/2023/04/04/war-mongering-cia-connected-think-tank-calls-for-world-war-iii/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914171809/https://covertactionmagazine.com/2023/04/04/war-mongering-cia-connected-think-tank-calls-for-world-war-iii/\|archive-date=2025-09-14}}</ref> Many think tanks which receive funding from [[Defense contractor\|defense contractors]] who themselves are awarded government funding promote war-hawk policies when they consult with or obtain positions in government, thus fueling their war-based funding cycle.<ref>{{Web citation\|author=Robert Parry\|newspaper=New Cold War\|title=The Nulands: A family business of perpetual war\|date=2015-03-22\|url=https://newcoldwar.org/the-nulands-a-family-business-of-perpetual-war/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823214136/https://newcoldwar.org/the-nulands-a-family-business-of-perpetual-war/\|archive-date=2025-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation\|author=Lee Fang\|newspaper=The Intercept\|title=Intelligence Contract Funneled to Pro-War Think Tank Establishment\|date=2021-09-05\|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/09/15/pentagon-funding-think-tanks/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818195926/https://theintercept.com/2021/09/15/pentagon-funding-think-tanks/\|archive-date=2025-08-18}}</ref> Due to such dynamics, think tanks are included in the expanded "[[MICIMATT]]" model of the Military-Industrial Complex.<ref name=":2" />

	~~Bourgeois think~~ tanks ~~serve additional functions beyond managing~~ and ~~negotiating~~ the policy ~~interests~~ of the ~~bourgeoisie~~'s ~~factions~~. ~~Among their other functions~~, ~~think tanks provide forums~~ in ~~which~~ the ~~"[[revolving door]]"~~ of public ~~and private interests may semi-publicly network amongst themselves and obtain information~~, ~~influence~~, ~~training~~, ~~career opportunities~~, and ~~funding whilst legitimizing themselves as~~ "~~experts~~" in the public ~~eye~~. ~~Think tanks can provide~~ an ~~informal training ground for new leadership~~ and ~~spokespeople as well as an informal recruiting ground for~~ "~~policy~~ experts" to ~~become aides or appointees~~ of ~~corporate leaders~~ that ~~take government positions~~. ~~Think tanks are also~~ a ~~forum through which capitalists can convey their~~ "~~concerns~~, ~~goals~~, and ~~expectations~~ to ~~those young experts~~ and ~~young professors that want~~ to ~~further their careers~~" ~~by receiving foundation grants or invitations to work or participate in discussions at think tanks~~.<ref name=":1" />		==== Manufacturing doubt and controversy ====
			Think tanks may also perform a role in an industry's efforts to manufacture controversy or create doubt around a particular topic (a marketing technique sometimes called "[[fear, uncertainty, and doubt]]" or FUD).<ref name=":3">{{Citation\|author=Robert J. Brulle\|year=2013\|title=Institutionalizing delay: foundation funding and the creation of U.S. climate change counter-movement organizations\|title-url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-013-1018-7\|pdf=https://drexel.edu/~/media/Files/now/pdfs/Institutionalizing%20Delay%20-%20Climatic%20Change.ashx\|doi=10.1007/s10584-013-1018-7\|series=Climatic Change\|volume=122}}</ref><ref>{{Citation\|author=Bryan Pfaffenberger\|year=2000\|title=The rhetoric of dread: Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) in information technology marketing\|title-url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12130-000-1022-x\|doi=10.1007/s12130-000-1022-x\|series=Knowledge, Technology & Policy}}</ref> This may occur in cases such as when scientific findings or changes in public perception of an issue threaten the industry's profitability. This incentivizes the industry to commission the production of studies, articles, or other publications which cast doubt or raise controversy around information unfavorable to their interests and thereby delay unfavorable policy actions.<ref name=":3" /> A commonly cited example of this phenomenon is the US tobacco industry's efforts to cast doubt on scientific findings of the health risks of smoking. As one tobacco company's internal memorandum stated in 1969, "Doubt is our product since it is the best means of competing with the 'body of fact' that exists in the mind of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy."<ref>{{Citation\|author=Stanton A. Glantz, John Slade, Lisa A. Bero, Peter Hanauer, and Deborah E. Barnes\|year=1996\|title=The Cigarette Papers\|title-url=https://archive.org/details/cigarettepapers0000unse\|page=171\|quote=Doubt is our product since it is the best means of competing with the "body of fact" that exists in the mind of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy. ... If we are successful in establishing a controversy at the public level, then there is an opportunity to put across the real facts about smoking and health. Doubt is also the limit of our "product." Unfortunately, we cannot take a position directly opposing the anti-cigarette forces and say that cigarettes are a contributor to good health. No information that we have supports such a claim.\|publisher=University of California Press\|isbn=0520205723}}</ref>

			A similar case can be seen with the production of doubt around the issue of [[climate change]].<ref name=":3" /> For example, the 1998 [[Global Climate Science Communications Plan]], created by representatives from major fossil fuel corporations in collaboration with conservative think tanks and public relations experts was created in response to the 1997 [[Kyoto Protocol]] [[greenhouse gas emissions]] treaty.<ref name=":4">{{Web citation\|author=Graham Readfearn\|newspaper=The Guardian\|title=What happened to the lobbyists who tried to reshape the US view of climate change?\|date=2015-02-27\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/27/what-happened-to-lobbyists-who-tried-reshape-us-view-climate-change\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915155646/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/27/what-happened-to-lobbyists-who-tried-reshape-us-view-climate-change\|archive-date=2025-09-15}}</ref> In one of their memos, they write that "victory will be achieved" when "average citizens 'understand' (recognize) uncertainties in climate science" and when "recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the 'conventional wisdom'" while those who follow extant science "appear to be out of touch with reality". The memo discusses various methods to "undercut the 'conventional wisdom' on climate science" such as founding a non-profit "educational foundation" designed to become an alternative to the [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] (IPCC), working with scientists who support their position and recruiting scientists who specifically do not have a long history of visibility to join the climate debate and do media outreach, and to produce a "steady stream of op-ed columns and letters to the editor authored by scientists".<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Web citation\|newspaper=Climate Files\|title=1998 American Petroleum Institute Global Climate Science Communications Team Action Plan\|url=https://www.climatefiles.com/trade-group/american-petroleum-institute/1998-global-climate-science-communications-team-action-plan/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908063933/https://www.climatefiles.com/trade-group/american-petroleum-institute/1998-global-climate-science-communications-team-action-plan/\|archive-date=2025-09-08\|retrieved=2025-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{Citation\|title=April 27, 1998 - Issue: Vol. 144, No. 48 — Daily Edition\|title-url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-144/issue-48/house-section\|chapter=CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE\|section=GLOBAL CLIMATE SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS ACTION PLAN\|page=5-7\|quote=Victory will be achieved when Average citizens "understand" (recognize) uncertainties in climate science; recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the "conventional wisdom", media "understands" (recognizes) uncertainties in climate science; media coverage reflects balance on climate science and recognition of the validity of viewpoints that challenge the current "conventional wisdom", industry senior leadership understands uncertainties in climate science, making them stronger ambassadors to those who shape climate policy; and those promoting the Kyoto treaty on the basis of extant science appear to be out of touch with reality. [...] The [Global Climate Science Data Center] will become a one-stop resource on climate science for members of Congress, the media, industry and all others concerned. It will be in constant contact with the best climate scientists and ensure that their findings and views receive appropriate attention [...] In short, it will be a sound scientific alternative to the IPCC.\|pdf=https://www.congress.gov/105/crec/1998/04/27/144/48/CREC-1998-04-27.pdf}}</ref>

	Although think tanks are sometimes emphasized as being supposedly "non-profit" with the implication that this makes them more politically neutral, this characterization downplays the fact that it is not simply straightforward or above-board financial profit motives which may affect the supposed impartiality of a think tank, as other incentives such as seeking (in)formal positions within the funder organization or gaining access to particular (governmental) data sets, or gaining other social, career, or indirect financial benefits may be at play. Furthermore, think tanks commonly carry out their activities by being commissioned (paid) to produce something (such as a specific study), or because they acquired project-related funding; either of these sources of funding will contribute both to the project but also to the organization's growth. The fact that this funding can be jeopardized if the think tank does not produce its funders' desired result can also affect the nature of what they produce.<ref>{{Citation\|author=Hartwig Pautz\|year=2011\|title=Revisiting the think-tank phenomenon\|title-url=https://sci-hub.st/10.1177/0952076710378328\|doi=10.1177/0952076710378328\|series=Public Policy and Administration\|volume=26(4)}}</ref>		=== Funding ===
			Although think tanks are sometimes emphasized as being supposedly "non-profit" with the implication that this makes them more politically neutral, this characterization downplays the fact that it is not simply straightforward or above-board financial profit motives which may affect the supposed impartiality of a think tank, as other incentives such as seeking (in)formal positions within the funder organization or gaining access to particular (governmental) data sets, or gaining other social, career, or indirect financial benefits may be at play. Furthermore, think tanks commonly carry out their activities by being commissioned (paid) to produce something (such as a specific study), or because they acquired project-related funding; either of these sources of funding will contribute both to the project but also to the organization's growth. The fact that this funding can be jeopardized if the think tank does not produce its funders' desired result can also affect the nature of what they produce.<ref>{{Citation\|author=Hartwig Pautz\|year=2011\|title=Revisiting the think-tank phenomenon\|title-url=https://sci-hub.st/10.1177/0952076710378328\|doi=10.1177/0952076710378328\|series=Public Policy and Administration\|volume=26(4)}}</ref>

	== References ==		== References ==
	<references />		<references />

Verda.Majo: Created page with "A '''think tank''' is an organization which is typically associated with producing analysis, discussion, advice, advocacy, and/or research aimed at advancing or justifying certain policies, values, or ideas in governance or in society more generally. Think tanks may profess a wide range of ideological standpoints and goals and may or may not be transparent or academically rigorous in their activities and aims.{{Web citation|..."

2025-09-15T07:11:50Z

Created page with "A '''think tank''' is an organization which is typically associated with producing analysis, discussion, advice, advocacy, and/or research aimed at advancing or justifying certain policies, values, or ideas in governance or in society more generally. Think tanks may profess a wide range of ideological standpoints and goals and may or may not be transparent or academically rigorous in their activities and aims.<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|..."

New page

A '''think tank''' is an [[organization]] which is typically associated with producing analysis, discussion, advice, advocacy, and/or research aimed at advancing or justifying certain policies, values, or ideas in [[Government|governance]] or in society more generally. Think tanks may profess a wide range of [[Ideology|ideological]] standpoints and goals and may or may not be transparent or academically rigorous in their activities and aims.<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|author=James Barham|newspaper=Academic Influence|title=Top Influential Think Tanks Ranked for 2024|date=2023-10-16|url=https://academicinfluence.com/inflection/study-guides/influential-think-tanks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831221816/https://academicinfluence.com/inflection/study-guides/influential-think-tanks|archive-date=2025-08-31}}</ref> Think tanks are typically funded through private donations, grants, and, in some cases, public funds.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Hebert Labbate|newspaper=Wellesley College Career Education|title=Introduction to Think Tanks|url=https://careereducation.wellesley.edu/resources/introduction-think-tanks}}</ref> The boundaries of what constitutes a "think tank" are not strictly defined and thus may overlap with various other types of organizations that conduct similar or related activities.<ref>{{Citation|author=Hartwig Pautz|year=2011|title=Revisiting the think-tank phenomenon|title-url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0952076710378328|quote=While there is a significant body of literature on think-tanks and their role for policy change and continuity, debate on the definition of what actually constitutes a think-tank, how it does what it does and what its role is, has somewhat come to a standstill. Most research relies on definitions and typologies devised in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the changing nature of the policy advice landscape requires revisiting the think-tank phenomenon: external policy advice to governments is being offered by an increasing variety of organizations and in particular the boundaries between think-tanks, university institutes and management consultancies have become ever more blurred – if, indeed, they were ever as clear-cut as typologies and organizations’ self-descriptions seem to imply|doi=10.1177/0952076710378328|series=Public Policy and Administration|volume=Volume 26 Issue 4}}</ref>

In [[Capitalism|capitalist]] society, capitalist-backed think tanks serve as a tool of the [[Bourgeoisie|capitalist class]] in which various sections of the bourgeoisie may work out domestic and foreign policy consensus among themselves to then be formalized in the governance structures of the bourgeois [[state]], among other functions.<ref name=":1">{{Citation|author=G. William Domhoff|year=2014|title=The Council on Foreign Relations and the Grand Area: Case Studies on the Origins of the IMF and the Vietnam War|title-url=https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/classracecorporatepower/vol2/iss1/1/|pdf=https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=classracecorporatepower|publisher=Class, Race and Corporate Power|doi=10.25148/CRCP.2.1.16092111}}</ref> Some examples of influential think tanks of the [[imperial core]] include the [[Brookings Institution]], [[The Heritage Foundation]], the [[Council on Foreign Relations]], the [[RAND Corporation]], [[Chatham House]], the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], and the [[Atlantic Council]].<ref name=":0" /> The US-based [[National Endowment for Democracy]] (NED), a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] cutout which contributes to fostering [[Color revolution|color revolutions]] in various countries, also coordinates a global network of think tanks of approximately 80 member organizations in 50 countries, known as the [[Network of Democracy Research Institutes]] (NDRI).<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=National Endowment for Democracy|title=Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI)|url=https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914170513/https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/|archive-date=2025-09-14|quote=The Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI) is a global network of think tanks that conduct research and analysis on democracy, democratization, and related topics in comparative government and international affairs. The NDRI is a key network of the World Movement for Democracy and is coordinated by the NED’s International Form for Democratic Studies.}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=National Endowment for Democracy|title=NDRI Member Institutes|url=https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/ndri-member-institutes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914170654/https://www.ned.org/ideas/network-of-democracy-research-institutes-ndri/ndri-member-institutes/|archive-date=2025-09-14|quote=The Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI) is a global think tank network with approximately 80 member organizations from 50 countries representing every region in the world. Member institutes include: International think tanks; Independent research institutions; University-based study centers; Research programs affiliated with democracy advocacy groups, human rights organizations, and other NGOs}}</ref>

Bourgeois think tanks can serve a [[marketing]] role for various industries, for example the Atlantic Council has been described as the "marketing arm of the [[Military–industrial complex|military-security complex]]."<ref name=":2">{{Web citation|author=Valeriy Krylko|newspaper=CovertAction Magazine|title=War Mongering, CIA-Connected Think-Tank Calls For World War III|date=2023-04-04|url=https://covertactionmagazine.com/2023/04/04/war-mongering-cia-connected-think-tank-calls-for-world-war-iii/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914171809/https://covertactionmagazine.com/2023/04/04/war-mongering-cia-connected-think-tank-calls-for-world-war-iii/|archive-date=2025-09-14}}</ref> Many think tanks which receive funding from [[Defense contractor|defense contractors]] who themselves are awarded government funding promote war-hawk policies when they consult with or obtain positions in government, thus fueling their war-based funding cycle.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Robert Parry|newspaper=New Cold War|title=The Nulands: A family business of perpetual war|date=2015-03-22|url=https://newcoldwar.org/the-nulands-a-family-business-of-perpetual-war/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823214136/https://newcoldwar.org/the-nulands-a-family-business-of-perpetual-war/|archive-date=2025-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|author=Lee Fang|newspaper=The Intercept|title=Intelligence Contract Funneled to Pro-War Think Tank Establishment|date=2021-09-05|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/09/15/pentagon-funding-think-tanks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818195926/https://theintercept.com/2021/09/15/pentagon-funding-think-tanks/|archive-date=2025-08-18}}</ref> Due to such dynamics, think tanks are included in the expanded "[[MICIMATT]]" model of the Military-Industrial Complex.<ref name=":2" />

Bourgeois think tanks serve additional functions beyond managing and negotiating the policy interests of the bourgeoisie's factions. Among their other functions, think tanks provide forums in which the "[[revolving door]]" of public and private interests may semi-publicly network amongst themselves and obtain information, influence, training, career opportunities, and funding whilst legitimizing themselves as "experts" in the public eye. Think tanks can provide an informal training ground for new leadership and spokespeople as well as an informal recruiting ground for "policy experts" to become aides or appointees of corporate leaders that take government positions. Think tanks are also a forum through which capitalists can convey their "concerns, goals, and expectations to those young experts and young professors that want to further their careers" by receiving foundation grants or invitations to work or participate in discussions at think tanks.<ref name=":1" />

Although think tanks are sometimes emphasized as being supposedly "non-profit" with the implication that this makes them more politically neutral, this characterization downplays the fact that it is not simply straightforward or above-board financial profit motives which may affect the supposed impartiality of a think tank, as other incentives such as seeking (in)formal positions within the funder organization or gaining access to particular (governmental) data sets, or gaining other social, career, or indirect financial benefits may be at play. Furthermore, think tanks commonly carry out their activities by being commissioned (paid) to produce something (such as a specific study), or because they acquired project-related funding; either of these sources of funding will contribute both to the project but also to the organization's growth. The fact that this funding can be jeopardized if the think tank does not produce its funders' desired result can also affect the nature of what they produce.<ref>{{Citation|author=Hartwig Pautz|year=2011|title=Revisiting the think-tank phenomenon|title-url=https://sci-hub.st/10.1177/0952076710378328|doi=10.1177/0952076710378328|series=Public Policy and Administration|volume=26(4)}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />