美国智库的形成、运作和影响

The Formation,Operation and Influence of Think Tanks in the U.S.A

美国智库形成于19世纪末20世纪初,经历了四个发展时期,至今已经形成了一个由规模不等、专业不同、价值取向各异、不同类型的智库组成的智库方阵,并且呈现出逐渐向华盛顿集结,形成以华盛顿为中心的特点。内部科研辅助管理体制是探讨美国智库的运行机制,了解美国智库的内部建设和运作的必要条件之一。目前,美国智库可以按照规模、功能、归属和价值取向等分为不同类型;形成了政府智库、民间智库和大学智库三个方队,具有帮助政府发现、解决问题和推动问题的讨论和研究等功能。作为一种政治辅助力量,美国智库在美国决策咨询制度中占有一席重要的地位,主要表现在三个方面:政治地位、社会影响、经济实力。在不断的发展过程中,美国智库形成了总统建议、文章图书、陈述、会议、旋转门、议案、约谈、培训、采访、网络、人脉关系等11种影响政府决策的路径。同时,美国智库研究呈现出从单学科研究转向多学科研究、从学术研究转向问题对策研究、从国内合作转向国外合作等特点。

American think tanks first emerged in the late 19 th century anel the early 20 th century.Gone through four stages of development,now,it now constitutes a matrix consisted of think tanks different in scale,expertise,value and category.And they are now showing a trend of headquartering in Washington,D.C.One of the necessary conditions for discussing the operating mechanism and understanding their internal structure is to know their management mechanism of research assistance.Think tanks in America can be classified into different types based on standerds of size,function,sponsorship and value orientation.In terms of sponsorship,they can be divided into governmental,non-governmental and higher learning.Their main functions are to help the government to discover and solve problems and launch discussions and debate over various issues,among others.As a supporting political force,American think tanks play a considerable role in America's policy consulting system,which is mainly expressed in their political status,social influence and economic strength.There are now eleven ways for American think tanks to exercise influence on government decision making,they are:putting forward suggestions to the President;publishing articles and books;making statements;holding conferences;using the revolving door practice;putting forth bills;arranging talks;offering training;receiving interviews;using the Internet;and personal relations.Meanwhile,research in American think tanks is showing the trends of changing from single disciplinary perspective to multidisciplinary one,from academic-centered to issue-and measure-centered,and from domestic cooperation to global cooperation.