This book provides the most comprehensive study of the Australian think-tank industry to date. Drawing on empirical evidence, it first assesses the structure of the industry, the methods think tanks use to persuade policymakers, and public perceptions of their effectiveness. The book then proceeds to examine three unique policy cases to analyse think tank influence on policymaking. It argues that whilst think tanks play important roles in Australia’s policy process, their impacts vary depending on their approach and objectives. The book also demonstrates that policymakers with contrasting ideological orientations diverge in their assessments of the utility and influence of think tanks. It will appeal to students and scholars of public policy, and practitioners in public administration and governance.
Author(s): Trent Hagland
Series: Interest Groups, Advocacy and Democracy Series
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 348
City: Cham
Acknowledgements
Praise for Think Tanks in Australia
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Think Tanks in Australia
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Think Tanks and Public Policy Influence
1.3 What We Know, and What We Do Not
1.4 Book Structure
References
2 Understanding Think Tanks: A Global Endeavour
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Foundational International Literature
2.3 The Australian Literature
2.4 Core Concepts
2.4.1 Typologies
2.4.2 Theories
The Elite Model
The Pluralist Perspective
Network Approaches
References
3 Studying Australian Think Tanks
3.1 The Research Question
3.2 Influence Conceptualisations
3.3 Analytical Framework and Methodological Approach
3.3.1 Strand One: Document Analysis and Surveys
Defining the Think Tank Population
Survey Design
3.3.2 Strand Two: Semi-Structured Interviews
3.3.3 Strand Three: Case Study Analysis
Case Study Structure
Case Study Candidates
Case Study Selection
References
4 The State of the Industry
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Structural and Operational Diversity
4.2.1 Size and Focus
4.2.2 Independence
4.2.3 Geographical Distribution
4.2.4 Typologies
4.2.5 Ideological Persuasions
4.3 Financial Circumstances
4.3.1 Financial Context
4.3.2 Funding
4.4 Summary
References
5 The Evolutionary Path and Comparative Perspectives
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Development Waves
5.2.1 Marsh and Stone’s (2004) Wave Framework
5.2.2 An Alternative Wave Framework
5.3 Development Constraints
5.4 Comparative Development: An International Perspective
5.5 Summary
References
6 Influence Intentions
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Think Tank Objectives
6.3 Think Tank Target Audiences
6.4 Policy Cycle Engagement
6.5 Summary
References
7 Influence Methods
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Idea Propagation
7.3 The Centrality of Research
7.4 Public Events and Seminars
7.5 Political Access
7.6 New Media
7.6.1 Social Media
7.6.2 Podcasts and Videos
7.7 Summary
References
8 Influence Claims and Perceptions
8.1 Introduction
8.2 The Importance of Perceptions
8.3 Influence Evaluations
8.4 Think Tank Claims
8.5 Journalist Perceptions
8.6 Parliamentarian Perceptions
8.7 Summary
References
9 The Centre for Independent Studies: NSW Child Protection and Adoption Laws
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Centre for Independent Studies: Background
9.3 Child Protection and Adoption in Australia
9.3.1 Issue Characteristics
9.3.2 Political Context
Australia’s Historical Experience
NSW Reforms
9.3.3 Actor Power
9.3.4 Ideas
The CIS Argument
Initial Engagements
Evolutionary Ideas
Issue Framing
Adherents
A Networked Approach?
9.4 Conclusions
References
10 Grattan Institute: School Funding Reforms
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Grattan Institute: Background
10.3 School Funding in Australia
10.3.1 Issue Characteristics
10.3.2 Political Context
The ‘Gonski Review’
‘Turnbull Co-opts Gonski’
10.3.3 Actor Power
Government and Non-government Parties
Non-government Organisations: The Anti-reformists
Non-government Organisations: The Reformists
Grattan Institute
10.3.4 Ideas
Issue Framing
10.4 Conclusions
References
11 Lowy Institute: Australia’s Diplomatic Deficit
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Lowy Institute: Background
11.3 Australia’s Overseas Representation
11.3.1 Issue Characteristics
11.3.2 Political Context
11.3.3 Actor Power
11.3.4 Ideas
The Lowy Argument
Issue Framing
11.4 Conclusion
References
12 Influence Processes and Manifestations
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Divergent Styles, Methods, and Perceptions
12.3 Policy Capacity
12.4 Network and Policy Process Perspectives
12.5 Influence Manifestations
References
13 Conclusions
References
Appendix A: Australia’s Think Tank Population
Centrist Think Tanks
Right-leaning Think Tanks
Left-leaning Think Tanks
Appendix B: Interview Participants
Think Tank Interviewees
Journalist Interviewees
Parliamentarian Interviewees
Other Interviewees
Chapter Nine (CIS) Interviewees
Chapter Ten (Grattan) Interviewees
Chapter Eleven (Lowy) Interviewees
Appendix C: Government Grants
Appendix D: ‘Think-and-Do-Tanks’
Centre for Policy Development
Beyond Zero Emissions
Appendix E: Revolving Doors
Revolving? or Just Swinging?
Appendix F: Think Tank Comparative Metrics
Reference
Index
