16
February 2012
Past Event
Are Think Tanks Becoming Too Political?

Are Think Tanks Becoming Too Political?

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
February 16, 2012
Default Event Image
16
February 2012
Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Speakers:
Christopher DeMuth,

Hudson Distinguished Fellow and former President of the American Enterprise Institute

Michael Franc,

Heritage Foundation Vice President for Government Studies

Will Marshall,

President and Founder of the Progressive Policy Institute

Neera Tanden,

President of the Center for American Progress

Tevi Troy,

Hudson Senior Fellow

"Over the past half-century, think tanks have come to play a central role in policy development — and even in the surrounding political combat. Over that period, however, the balance between these two functions —policy development and political combat — has been steadily shifting. Today, while most think tanks continue to serve as homes for some academic-style scholarship regarding public policy, many have also come to play more active (if informal) roles in politics. . . . Every incentive — political, financial, and professional — points toward the further politicization of think tanks."

So wrote Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Tevi Troy in a recent article in the Winter 2012 issue of National Affairs, arguing that American think tanks are becoming less incubators of thoughtful policy ideas than political combat vehicles.

Required Reading

Tevi Troy, Devaluing the Think Tank, National Affairs, Winter 2012.

Related Events
17
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Motwani Jadeja US-India Dialogue Series: US-India Relations and the Defense COMPACT
Featured Speakers:
Vikram J. Singh
Anthony Renzulli
Dr. Sameer Lalwani
Ingrid Henick
Moderator:
Aparna Pande
Getty images
17
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Motwani Jadeja US-India Dialogue Series: US-India Relations and the Defense COMPACT

Dr. Aparna Pande will host an expert panel to discuss how Washington and New Delhi can increase security collaboration to bolster security both bilaterally and multilaterally in the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Getty images
Featured Speakers:
Vikram J. Singh
Anthony Renzulli
Dr. Sameer Lalwani
Ingrid Henick
Moderator:
Aparna Pande
17
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Industry, Security, and Community: Senator David McCormick on the Nippon Steel–U.S. Steel Deal
Featured Speakers:
Senator David McCormick
Hiroshi Ono
Kevin Lewis
Stefani Pashman
Moderators:
Joel Scanlon
William Chou
(Courtesy of U.S. Steel)
17
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Industry, Security, and Community: Senator David McCormick on the Nippon Steel–U.S. Steel Deal

Experts talk about why this deal supports American workers and communities, the major capital and technological investment, and how Nippon Steel’s investment advances American industrial and economic strength.

(Courtesy of U.S. Steel)
Featured Speakers:
Senator David McCormick
Hiroshi Ono
Kevin Lewis
Stefani Pashman
Moderators:
Joel Scanlon
William Chou
18
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Africa in the Dark: The Cost of Misguided International Energy Policies
Featured Speaker:
Professor Brenda Shaffer
Moderator:
Zineb Riboua
Getty Images
18
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Africa in the Dark: The Cost of Misguided International Energy Policies

Hudson’s Zineb Riboua will host Professor Brenda Shaffer, faculty member of the Naval Postgraduate School and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, to discuss Dr. Shaffer’s latest research paper and international energy policy shifts that can help address the challenge. 

Getty Images
Featured Speaker:
Professor Brenda Shaffer
Moderator:
Zineb Riboua
19
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Venezuela: Can US Pressure Break Maduro’s Grip?
Featured Speakers:
Eric Farnsworth
Carrie Filipetti
David Smolansky
Moderator:
Daniel Batlle
Getty Images
19
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Venezuela: Can US Pressure Break Maduro’s Grip?

Join Adjunct Fellow Daniel Batlle and a panel of experts as they dissect these questions.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Eric Farnsworth
Carrie Filipetti
David Smolansky
Moderator:
Daniel Batlle