Integration of Scientific and Political Elites

1. Integration of Scientific and Political Elites Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences School of Medical Education Strategic Policy Sessions: 17

2. Definitions • Research: “any systematic effort to increase the stock of knowledge” • Policy:a “purposive course of action followed by an actor or set of actors” • Evidence: “the available information supporting or otherwise a belief or proposition” • Evidence-based Policy: “public policy informed by rigorously established evidence”.

3. Commission research Analyse the results Choose the best option Establish the policy Implement the policy Evaluation Policy Processes Identify the problem

4. Cabinet Donors Policy Formulation Parliament Agenda Setting Decision Making Civil Society Ministries Monitoring and Evaluation Policy Implementation Private Sector Policy Processes

5. Policy Makers’ Evidence Researchers’ Evidence • ‘Scientific’ (Context free) • Proven empirically • Theoretically driven • As long as it takes • Caveats and qualifications • Colloquial (Contextual) • Anything that seems reasonable • Policy relevant • Timely • Clear Message Different Notions of Evidence Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005

6. Linear model Percolation model, Weiss Tipping point model, Gladwell ‘Context, evidence, links’ framework, ODI Policy narratives, Roe Systems model (NSI) External forces, Lindquist ‘Room for manoeuvre’, Clay & Schaffer ‘Street level bureaucrats’, Lipsky Policy as social experiments, Rondinelli Policy Streams & Windows, Kingdon Disjointed incrementalism, Lindquist The ‘tipping point’, Gladwell Crisis model, Kuhn ‘Framework of possible thought’, Chomsky Variables for Credibility, Beach The source is as important as content, Gladwell Linear model of communication, Shannon Interactive model, Simple and surprising stories, Communication Theory Provide solutions, Marketing I Find the right packaging, Marketing II Elicit a response, Kottler Translation of technology, Volkow Epistemic communities Policy communities Advocacy coalitions etc, Pross Negotiation through networks, Sebattier Shadow networks, Klickert Chains of accountability, Fine Communication for social change, Rockefeller Wheels and webs, Chapman & Fisher X Existing theory

7. External Influences Campaigning, Lobbying Policy analysis, & research Scientific information exchange & validation A Practical Framework political context Politics and Policymaking Media, Advocacy, Networking Research, learning & thinking evidence links

8. Audience Decision-Maker Research Needs Range of Research Needs Jonathan Lomas. Improving Research Dissemination and Uptake in the Health Sector: Beyond the Sound of One Hand Clapping. 1997. Legislative Politician Bureaucrat Interest Groups Problem Definition Affirmation of Assumed Causes Policy Ideas Administrative Program Manager RegionalAdministrator HospitalExecutive Program Evaluation Practice Variation Cost-Effectiveness Clinical Practitioner Professional Society ExpertPanelMember Effectiveness Ethics Patient Preference Industrial Company Scientist Corporate Executive Venture Capitalist Marketable Product Dr. Shahram Yazdani

9. Audience Decision-Maker Research Needs Biomedical, Information- Technology Research Legislative Politician Bureaucrat Interest Groups Problem Definition Affirmation of Assumed Causes Policy Ideas Administrative Program Manager RegionalAdministrator HospitalExecutive Program Evaluation Practice Variation Cost-Effectiveness Clinical Practitioner Professional Society ExpertPanelMember Effectiveness Ethics Patient Preference Industrial Company Scientist Corporate Executive Venture Capitalist Marketable Product Dr. Shahram Yazdani

10. Audience Decision-Maker Research Needs Clinical Research Legislative Politician Bureaucrat Interest Groups Problem Definition Affirmation of Assumed Causes Policy Ideas Administrative Program Manager RegionalAdministrator HospitalExecutive Program Evaluation Practice Variation Cost-Effectiveness Clinical Practitioner Professional Society ExpertPanelMember Effectiveness Ethics Patient Preference Industrial Company Scientist Corporate Executive Venture Capitalist Marketable Product Dr. Shahram Yazdani

11. Audience Decision-Maker Research Needs Health Services Research Legislative Politician Bureaucrat Interest Groups Problem Definition Affirmation of Assumed Causes Policy Ideas Administrative Program Manager RegionalAdministrator HospitalExecutive Program Evaluation Practice Variation Cost-Effectiveness Clinical Practitioner Professional Society ExpertPanelMember Effectiveness Ethics Patient Preference Industrial Company Scientist Corporate Executive Venture Capitalist Marketable Product Dr. Shahram Yazdani

12. Audience Decision-Maker Research Needs Health Policy Analysis Legislative Politician Bureaucrat Interest Groups Problem Definition Affirmation of Assumed Causes Policy Ideas Administrative Program Manager RegionalAdministrator HospitalExecutive Program Evaluation Practice Variation Cost-Effectiveness Clinical Practitioner Professional Society ExpertPanelMember Effectiveness Ethics Patient Preference Industrial Company Scientist Corporate Executive Venture Capitalist Marketable Product Dr. Shahram Yazdani

13. Is there a gap? Policy Research

14. Is there a gap? Research Policy

15. Is there a gap? Technocratic networks Universities Research Political parties Ideological think tanks NGOs Internal think tanks Regulatory bodies UN Think tanks Lobbies Policy Public think tanks Executive corporations

16. Integration of Scientific & Political Elites Scientific Elite Pool

17. Integration of Scientific & Political Elites Political Elite Pool Scientific Elite Pool

18. Integration of Scientific & Political Elites Political Elite Pool Weak Integration: Toward Populism Scientific Elite Pool

19. Integration of Scientific & Political Elites Political Elite Pool Strong Integration: Toward Elitism Scientific Elite Pool

20. Integration of Scientific & Political Elites Political Elite Pool Differentiated Civil Society Organizations Scientific Elite Pool

21. What is a think tank? • Knowledge-based, policy-oriented institutions • Serve governments, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society • Generate policy-oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues • Engage policymakers, ,the media and the public on key policy issues • Enable policymakers and the public to make informed decisions about public policy issues 21

22. Recent Think Tank Trends 22

23. A Brief History of American Think Tanks • First generation: think tanks as policy research institutions • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (1910) • Institute for Government Research (1916, Brookings) • Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace (1919) • Council on Foreign Relations (1921) • American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (1943) • Second generation: the emergence of government contractors • RAND Corporation (1948) • Hudson Institute (1961) • Urban Institute (1968)

24. A Brief History (continued) • The third generation: the rise of advocacy think tanks • Center for Strategic and International Studies (1962) • Heritage Foundation (1973) • CATO Institute (1977) • The fourth generation: legacy-based think tanks • Carter Center (1984) • Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom (1994)

25. Global Dispersion of Think TanksThere are currently 6,976 Think Tanks worldwide

26. Three Kinds of Think Tanks • “University without students:” • Quality academic research; focus on long-term impact; research fellow like professors • Examples: Brookings, AEI, Carnegie Endowment • Government contractors • Funded by government department / agencies; address specific concerns of policy-makers • Examples: RAND, Urban Institute • Advocacy think tanks • Research plus aggressive marketing; actively participate in policy debate • Heritage, CATO

27. University without Students: Brookings Institution • “The Brookings Institution is an independent, nonpartisan organization devoted to research, analysis, education, and publication focused on public policy issues in the areas of economics, foreign policy, and governance.” • 3 Programs: economy, government, foreign policy; 6 policy centers • Rigorous academic research • Close relation with federal government

28. Government Contractor: RAND Corporation • Mission: “RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis.” • More than 1,600 full- and part-time employees, (85% research staff hold advanced degrees, with >65% having Ph.D's or M.D.'s. ) • Research areas: Child Policy, Civil and Criminal Justice, Regional Studies, Drug Policy, Education, Health, Infrastructure, International Policy, National Security, Population & Aging, Science & Technology, Terrorism

29. Advocacy Think Tanks: Heritage Foundation • Mission: “formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.” • “The Foundation produces research and generates solutions consistent with its beliefs that are marketed to the Congress, the Executive Branch, the news media and others”

30. Types of Analysis • Scientific • search for truth and build theory about policy actions and effects • may be too theoretical for most decision makers • examples: academic social scientists, National Academy of Sciences

31. Types of Analysis (cont’d) • Professional • analyze alternatives to solve problems • goal is for practical value • research can be too narrow due to time or resource constraints • examples: Brookings Institution, American Enterprise Institute, General Accountability Office

32. Types of Analysis (cont’d) • Political • advocate and support preferred policies • often ideological or partisan; may lack analytical depth • examples: Sierra Club, AFL-CIO, Heritage Foundation

33. Discursive changes To achieve what? Procedural changes Content changes Attitudinal changes Behavioural changes

34. Idea Producer or Broker?

35. Outlets of Think Tanks’ Works • Books, journal articles • Monographs, reports, occasional papers • Short pieces of policy brief • Op-ed pieces • Other informal channels • Conferences, panel discussions • Policy training programs • Media appearance

36. The Top Think Tanks for 2009 Brookings Top Think Tank (US) Fraser Institute (Canada and Mexico) Chatham House, (Western Europe) Carnegie Moscow Center (Eastern and Central Europe)

37. The Top Think Tanks for 2009 • Fundación Getulio Vargas, (Latin America) • Carnegie Middle East Center, (Middle East) • South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), (Southern Africa) • Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) (Asia)

38. The Top Think Tanks for 2009 • Overseas Development Institute (Int’l Devleopment) • Harvard School of Public Health Dept of Health Policy (Health Policy) • Pew Center on Global Climate Change, (Enviornment) • Council on Foreign Relations (Security and International Affairs)

39. The Top Think Tanks for 2009 • Brookings Institution (Domestic Economics) • Peterson Institute for International Economics, (International Economics) • Urban Institute (Social Policy) • RAND (Science and Technology)

40. The Top Think Tanks for 2009 • Brookings Institution (Innovative Policy Proposal) • European Council on Foreign Relations (Best New Think Tank) • Brookings Institution (Best Policy Research Program) • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Best Use of the Internet)

41. The Top Think Tanks for 2009 • Amnesty International (Best Use of the Print and Electronic Media) • Center for American Progress (Most impact on Policy)

42. The Top Think Tanks for 2009 • Chatham House, UK (Top TT World-Non US) • Brookings Top Think Tank (World)

43. Funding Sources: Brookings (FY2002) Total Revenue: $40,678,000

44. Funding Sources: RAND (FY2002) Total Income: $186,808,000

45. Funding Sources: Heritage (FY2002) Total Income: $27,539,833

46. The Revolving Door between Government and Think Tanks: Examples from USA • Three secretaries in the Clinton administration landed at Brookings • Think tank alumnus in Bush administration • Rice (HI), Chao (HF), Haass (BI), Perle (AEI) • President’s economic advisors: • Larry Lindsey (AEI), Glen Hubbard (AEI) • Martin Baily (BI, IIE), Gene Sperling (BI), Laura Tyson (IIE), Robert Lawrence (BI, IIE), Joseph Stiglitz (BI) • William Niskanen (Cato), { M. Boskin (HI), M. Feldstein (NBER) } • Charles Schultz (BI), Arthur Okun (BI) • Others: Alan Blinder (BI), Alice Rivlin(BI)

47. Political Elites vs.The Statecraft Interpretation • Political elite = party leaders, their political advisers + top civil servants • Statecraft: ‘the art of winning elections and achieving some necessary degree of governing competence in office’ (Bulpitt, 1986: 21)

48. Statecraft Functions • A Winning Electoral Strategy • Party Management • Political Argument Hegemony: ‘a winning rhetoric in a variety of locations winning because either the framework of the party’s arguments becomes generally acceptable, or because its solutions to a particularly important political problem seem more plausible than its opponents’ (Bulpitt, 1986: 22).

49. The Need for Depoliticization of Policy Process • Depoliticisation: ‘…the process of placing at one remove the political character of decision-making’ (Burnham, 2001: 127). • E.g. Operational independence to the Bank of England (1997)

50. Thank You ! Any Question ?