think tank

A think tank is a research organization for suggesting new public policies and influencing current government policies to possible alternatives. It is usually financed by outside monetary aid. Another name for a think tank is think factory. The basis for such institutions is to use collective minds of professional people to make the society function better. Examples of current major think tanks are: Brookings Institution,a non-profit organization that concentrates on economics and governance, and Hudson Institute, which promotes world safety and economic growth and freedom. According to Lawrence Reed, Thomas Clarkson’s Society for the Abolition of The African Slave Trade is the first think tank. It described the slave trade in detail and their findings became powerful weapons in promoting abolition of slavery. Compared to universities, think tanks’ research is more closely guided by its specific purpose. Therefore, they can provide objective policies in an effective manner.

References:

think tank." The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. 06 Oct. 2007.

NCPA: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/special/20051220-sp.html

What Is A Think Tank by John C. Goodman(2005) http://www.ncpa.org/pub/special/20051220-sp.html