Types of Think Tanks: Which Make

Sense for the Government of

Indonesia?
Raymond J. Struyk

Classic Definition
Think tanks are independent, usually
private, policy research institutes containing
people involved in studying a particular
policy area or a broad range of policy
issues, actively seeking to educate or advise
policy makers and the public through a
number of channels.

Types of Think Tanks

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Autonomous and independent

Quasi independent
Government affiliated
Quasi government
University affiliated
Political party affiliated
Corporate (for profit)

James McGann, 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report

Areas of possible limited independence

for Government-Affiliated Think Tanks

Setting the research and evaluation agenda

Policy positions taken publicly
Extent of results dissemination
Funding sources
Researcher constraints

Common Options for GovernmentAffiliated Think Tanks

1. Completely internal to the ministry, probably reporting
directly to the minister; follows gov personnel policies
and other rules
2. External to the ministry but solely funded by
government and typically some restrictions on agenda
and somewhat on policy positions and dissemination
3. External to ministry and funded through the office of
president or prime minister; consult ministry on agenda;
substantial freedom to seek other funding; free on
policy positions; free but careful on dissemination; no
explicit personnel policy restrictions.

The In-the-Ministry Option

Typical Department Structure

1. Policy Development Office. Works explicitly on
emerging policy questions. Integrates research
findings into its analysis and recommendations. Policy
voice of the department.
2. Short-term Analytic Office. Undertakes analysis and
even quick surveys on very pressing issues.
3. Longer term research and evaluation studies. Nearly
all are contracted out. Need staff to design projects,
write RFPs, and manage contracts.

Advantages
1. Work on high-priority issues of strong interest to senior
officials
2. Can be very responsive, i.e., no contracting, no
negotiations with external government think tanks
3. Deep understanding of the ministrys decision process
and the identity of decision makers issue-by-issue
4. Access: on site, constant presence for meetings and
informal discussions

Challenges
1. May be consumed by short-term assignments that take
staff away from any longer term research
2. Personnel rules may make working at the ministry
unattractive
3. Possible restrictions on publications and speaking at
public events
4. Limited public dissemination of analysts work prevents
them from becoming established in the policy research
community

Germany and Korea as Examples

of Government Budget Support to
Think Tanks Option 3

South Korea
Scope of activity, objectives
Established in legislation permitting funding
Korean Development Institute in 1971; now 23

Funding
Government general support (budget support)
Budget prepared on basis of planned outputs, e.g.,
conferences, research projects
Negotiated with National Research Council that overseas all
Government-supported think tanks
General Assembly must appropriate funds

Public and private sector project grants & contracts

9

South Korea contd

Government influence
National Research Council is between think tanks and
Ministry Clients
Ministry views sought in annual review; Board members

Agenda setting

Quality control
Covers technical quality of research & policy
relevance, level of client satisfaction, and
dissemination
External review annually
Results influence future funding
10

Key Points for this Model

1. Independence
Government views given full consideration,
not more
Good will on both sides essential

2. Partial government funding

50-70% of total funds: meet the market test

3. Quality control and relevance are

essential
11

Conclusions on Government-Affiliated
Think Tanks
1. A clear range of options available with varying think
tank-Ministry relations
2. No necessity for consistency among ministries. Some
could have both Options 1 and 3. The Germans do.
3. Critical to be explicit from the start about which option is
being selected and the nature of the relations between
the think tank and the ministry on all independence
issues.