'The 2007 Survey of Think Tanks' states that out of a total of 1198 think tanks in Western Europe, 283 operate from within the United Kingdom.1 This is by far the highest number amongst the member states of the EU. There is a long tradition of think tanks in Britain. Informal groups and individuals
were offering political advice since the eighteenth century, maybe earlier.2
In this essay I try to examine some of the major British think tanks that focus on the European Union and their politics concerning the EU. Where possible, I will give evidence on how they actually influenced British policy making in terms of the EU. I will examine the possibilities of how think tanks can influence governments and public opinion and I will summarize some of the
criticism on think tanks in general.
[...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition
3. Examples
3.1 Open Europe
3.2 The Centre for Policy Studies
3.3 Center for European Reform
4. Possible ways of taking Influence
4.1 The Role of the CER in the Saint Malo case
5. Criticism
6. Conclusion
7. References
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This academic paper examines the role and influence of prominent British think tanks on the country's policy-making process regarding the European Union. The research investigates how these organizations shape public and elite opinion, explores the methods they employ to exert influence, and discusses the challenges in quantifying this impact, while also addressing critical perspectives on their democratic legitimacy.
- Historical development and classification of think tanks in Britain.
- Comparative analysis of specific think tanks (Open Europe, Centre for Policy Studies, Center for European Reform).
- Mechanisms of political influence and policy advocacy within the EU context.
- The nexus between media presence, elite debate, and government policy.
- Critical assessment of democratic accountability and transparency in policy advisory roles.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 The Role of the CER in the Saint Malo case
Traditionally, Britain was quite reluctant towards a common security and defence policy. This changed after a meeting of Blair and Chirac in Saint Malo in 1998. According to Dover, this meeting created the momentum that led to the foundation of the ESDP. Dover tries to evaluate the influence that Charles Grant might have had on policy makers and their advisors. Dover points out that Grant spent a lot of time discussing issues of a common security and defence policy with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Minister of Defence and Cabinet Office officials, thus influencing 'the climate of opinion'. Dover states that Grant also spoke with Roger Liddle, Blair's personal political advisor. The author further states that Liddle was impressed by Grant's ideas and that Liddle conveyed these arguments to the Prime Minister. Dover sees Grant's role as "a strong external validating influence on Blairs's opinions on this policy". However, Dover is aware of the fact that many other experts were heard in order to provide validation for a policy that was already decided upon.
Grant himself states the following:"We are proud to have been at the heart of the debate over ESDP ever since its conception. Our proposal for the EU to merge with the Western European Union and take on a role in defence, published in September 1998, predated the Franco-British summit at St Malo – which gave birth to ESDP – by three months."
The situation is that there is evidence that a think tank had some influence on policy making. As mentioned above, the problem is to clearly measure the exact impact of the influence exerted.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the landscape of British think tanks and outlines the essay's intent to analyze their influence on European Union policy.
2. Definition: Explores the historical origins and the categorical challenges in defining think tanks, including various functional types.
3. Examples: Details the operations, political stances, and agendas of Open Europe, The Centre for Policy Studies, and the Center for European Reform.
4. Possible ways of taking Influence: Analyzes the general mechanisms used by think tanks to impact policy, including conferences, media attention, and informal advisory roles.
4.1 The Role of the CER in the Saint Malo case: Provides a specific case study of how the CER influenced British defense policy through direct engagement with government officials.
5. Criticism: Discusses concerns regarding the lack of democratic legitimacy of think tanks and their potential for influencing policy through non-transparent channels.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the difficulty in measuring influence while highlighting the significant role think tanks play in shaping the political climate of opinion.
7. References: Compiles the scholarly and primary sources utilized throughout the research.
Keywords
Think tanks, Britain, European Union, policy-making, European integration, Open Europe, Centre for Policy Studies, Center for European Reform, Saint Malo, ESDP, climate of opinion, lobbying, policy advocacy, political influence, democratic legitimacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores how British think tanks function and to what extent they successfully influence government policy regarding the European Union.
Which think tanks are highlighted as case studies?
The study focuses on three distinct organizations: Open Europe, the Centre for Policy Studies, and the Center for European Reform.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to examine the possibilities of how think tanks influence both government policy and public opinion, while summarizing general criticisms of these institutions.
What methodology is used to assess influence?
The author uses a qualitative approach, reviewing existing literature and specific case studies—most notably the Saint Malo summit—to demonstrate how think tanks interact with political decision-makers.
What aspects of think tanks are analyzed in the main body?
The main body covers the definitions and typologies of think tanks, their specific political agendas regarding the EU, and the various channels (e.g., media, conferences, direct consultation) through which they exert influence.
How would you characterize the key themes?
Key themes include policy-making, the relationship between academic expertise and political power, European integration, and the democratic accountability of non-elected policy advisors.
How did the CER influence the Saint Malo case?
The CER, led by Charles Grant, reportedly provided a "strong external validating influence" by advocating for a common defense policy, which was then communicated to the Prime Minister through personal political advisors.
Is it possible to measure the influence of think tanks accurately?
The author concludes, in line with established academic literature, that it is virtually impossible to measure "decisive influence," suggesting it is more accurate to view their impact as shaping the "climate of opinion."
What is the main ethical concern raised in the paper?
The paper raises significant concerns about democratic legitimacy, suggesting that these unelected bodies may manipulate public and political programs without proper oversight or transparency.
- Quote paper
- Matthias Giepen (Author), 2008, Think Tanks in Britain and how they influence British Policy on Europe, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/114929
