Consultants, Think Tanks and Public Policy

This chapter will examine the rise of niche policy analysis organisations in response to the demand for specialised advice that is both external to government and independent of formal organised interest groups. The recent proliferation of think tanks is outlined, factors underlying this growth are considered and the spectrum of think tanks is described. The increasing reliance by government agencies on the reports of consultancy firms, for both policy advice and programme review, is documented and assessed.