'What works'? British think tanks and the 'end of ideology'

Abstract

In this special section on Think Tanks, the authors explore how the changes in the external environment have affected the internal operations of British think tanks to argue that they are more inclined than other institutions to undertake a rigorous objective evaluation of their performance to yield practical outcomes, not just abstract ideas. A comparative analysis of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), the Adam Smith Institute (ASI), the Institute for Public Policy Research (PPR), Demos, & Catalyst indicates that the first three institutions resist the urge to undertake rigorous and objective self detailed evaluation, while the second three undertake systematic self evaluation. The various ways that think tanks are adapting and responding to " the new pragmatism" has led them to resemble contract research organizations funded by project income, although ideological differences remain. References. J. Harwell