Think Tanks and Foreign Policy

Think tanks have become increasingly important in American politics foreign policy. In the last thirty years think tanks have emerged as major actors on the political stage, comparable in influence to large interest groups, political parties, and government agencies. In the same time span these think tanks have replaced universities as the main source for new policy ideas and the background research and arguments to justify them.

Howard J. Wiarda is Dean Rusk Professor of International Relations and head of the Department of International Affairs at the University of Georgia. He is also Senior Scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington.

Chapter 1 Preface: From AEI to FPRI Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Arriving There: Philadelphia and FPRI Chapter 3 Chapter 2: History and Background Chapter 4 Chapter 3: Think Tanks and Foreign Policy Chapter 5 Chapter 4: The Colleagues Chapter 6 Chapter 5: The Central Administration Chapter 7 Chapter 6: Work Life Chapter 8 Chapter 7: Out and About in Philadelphia Chapter 9 Chapter 8: Internal Tensions and the 1988 Presidential Race Chapter 10 Chapter 9: Conclusions: The Road Ahead