Think Tanks in Britain and how they influence British Policy on Europe

Trabajo de Seminario , 2008 , 16 Páginas , Calificación: 1,0

Filología inglesa - Cultura y Estudios regionales

'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.
[...]

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Definition
• Examples
  • Open Europe
  • The Centre for Policy Studies
  • Center for European Reform
• Possible ways of taking Influence
• The Role of the CER in the Saint Malo case
• Criticism
• Conclusion
• References

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This essay aims to examine the major British think tanks that focus on the European Union and their politics concerning the EU. It will explore how these think tanks influence British policy making in terms of the EU, examining the possibilities of how they can influence governments and public opinion. The essay will also summarize some of the criticism on think tanks in general.

• The role of think tanks in British policy making regarding the EU
• The influence of think tanks on government and public opinion
• The definition and characteristics of think tanks
• Examples of major British think tanks focusing on the EU
• Criticism of think tanks in general

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction provides an overview of the prevalence of think tanks in the UK, highlighting their historical roots and the significance of their role in shaping policy. It sets the stage for the essay's focus on examining the influence of British think tanks on EU-related policies.

The definition chapter delves into the complexities of defining the term "think tank," exploring various perspectives and highlighting the diverse range of organizations that fall under this umbrella. It examines the different types of think tanks, including academic, contract researchers, advocacy tanks, and party think tanks, and discusses their respective characteristics and motivations.

The examples section provides a detailed analysis of three prominent British think tanks: Open Europe, The Centre for Policy Studies, and the Center for European Reform. It examines their respective positions on European integration, their methods of influencing policy, and their impact on the British political landscape.

The chapter on possible ways of taking influence explores the various mechanisms through which think tanks can exert influence on policymaking. It examines the role of think tanks in shaping public opinion, providing expert advice to policymakers, and advocating for specific policy changes.

The chapter on the role of the CER in the Saint Malo case provides a specific example of how a think tank can influence policymaking. It examines the Center for European Reform's involvement in the Saint Malo Declaration, a key document that shaped the development of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy.

The criticism chapter examines the various criticisms leveled against think tanks, including concerns about their lack of transparency, their potential for bias, and their influence on democratic processes.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include think tanks, British policy, European Union, European integration, influence, public opinion, government, criticism, and policymaking. The text explores the role of think tanks in shaping British policy on Europe, examining their influence on government and public opinion, and analyzing the various criticisms directed towards them.

• Universidad: University of Kassel (Gesellschaftswissenschaften - Geschichte Nordmerikas und Großbritanniens)
• Curso: Britain and the European integration process
• Calificación: 1,0
• Autor: Matthias Giepen (Autor)
• Año de publicación: 2008
• Páginas: 16
• No. de catálogo: V114929
• ISBN (Ebook): 9783640160709
• ISBN (Libro): 9783640160785
• Idioma: Inglés
• Etiqueta: Think, Tanks, Britain, British, Policy, Europe, Britain, European