The typical reaction of an average person who hears the name "think tank" is that there is nothing for people to do, or that they have nowhere to spend their money, and they are rewarded with nicknames such as "grant eaters", "freeloaders", etc..

However, the emotional component of such reactions reveals a lack of understanding of the mission, tasks, and significance for the global progress of public institutions whose activities are focused on intellectual search and production of scientifically sound solutions or recommendations for global problems faced by humanity every day, rather than active actions to implement these solutions. To understand the essence of these institutions, it is worthwhile to examine how they emerged and what their practical benefits are.

Researchers of the history of think tanks believe that they originated in the UK. And most agree that the first think tank was the Fabian Society. — an organization of English intellectuals that aimed to achieve socialism through gradual, peaceful reforms, without revolutionary class struggle, date of foundation - 1883. In other words, think tanks started out as "research groups" that brought together academics and government officials to discuss privacy policy issues, often according to the Chatham House rule.

There is also an opinion that the term “think tanks” was first used in military jargon during World War II to describe a safe place to discuss plans and strategies.

In general, the first think tanks gave lectures, reviewed research articles and reports, and kept large libraries. But their work was focused on influencing specific individuals and communities, not the general public.

The situation changed in the 1960s, when the United States began to use the term think tank to describe private, non-profit research organizations that have studied various aspects of government and parliamentary policy.

For many years, most scholars who studied think tanks considered them to be a purely American phenomenon that grew up in the American democracy. But such organizations have also functioned in other industrialized countries, such as Canada, and Australia, as well as the United Kingdom, and other Western European countries. It can be concluded that the development of think tanks is a feature of Western civilization. Proof of this is the flourishing of think tanks in Poland after being freed from the socialist bloc and beginning market reforms. It was only in the early 1990s that more than 10 powerful institutes emerged there simultaneously.

But in the United States, the development of think tanks was quite rapid, and as a result, they became an integral part of the country's political landscape. The first major wave of think tanks in the United States began to emerge in the early 1900s. Essentially, these were private initiatives by businessman-philanthropists who established institutions where scholars and leaders from both the public and private sectors could come together to discuss and debate global issues. At this stage, the most significant were:

After World War II, a new round of think tanks began to develop, and against the backdrop of war-torn Europe, the United States gradually became the hegemon of power in the bipolar world. To do so, it needed the insights and experience of think tanks to ensure a consistent national and foreign policy.

In 1948, the corporation RAND was established to promote and protect U.S. security interests. Later, the Hudson Institute was established in 1961, and the Urban Institute in 1968. Later, powerful advocacy think tanks were created, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies (1962), Heritage Foundation (1973), and CATO Institute (1977).

Thus, modern think tanks in the United States are based on traditions and innovative approaches, developing and promoting ideas.

Is the history of think tanks in Europe significantly different? In general, no. The so-called "golden" period of think tank development in Europe was in the 1980s and 1990s. There were more and more of them; they were professionalizing and building new financial and organizational models.

At the same time, European integration was gaining momentum — future EU member states needed an in-depth analysis to soberly weigh all the pros and cons of joining. Thus, one after another, new analytical platforms emerged, intended to serve as a bridge between politics, science, and society.

So, what are modern think tanks? According to the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report for 2020, there are 11,175 think tanks in the world, 2,203 of which are located in the United States, and 2,932 think tanks operate in European countries. Brookings Institution (USA) is recognized as the best think tank in the world – 2020. The overall ranking of the Top 20 global think tanks in 2020 was headed by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in second place was Bruegel (Belgium), and the third - the Getulio Gargas Foundation (Brazil).

Among Ukrainian think tanks, only the Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Studies named after A. Razumkov was included in the world ranking, which was ranked 40th, but in general, the 2020 index contained information about the presence of 90 functioning think tanks in Ukraine. In May 2024, the Ukrainian Institute for the Future published a report titled "Think Tanks of Ukraine – Drivers for the Country's Recovery." In the publicly available version, the total number of registered or operational centers is not specified, but the information is systematically organized for 39 institutes that have been the most active over the past two years.

The active growth of the network of think tanks was spurred by the information and technological revolution, which ended the monopoly of national governments on information. In addition, there has been a gradual crisis of trust in governments and elected officials; in a dynamic information space, people need timely and concise information and real-time analysis. That is why the need for think tanks to function as independent providers of analytical information and developers of alternative approaches is a reflection of the modern dynamic world.

In general, think tanks in Ukraine began to form in the 1990s, during the first years of independence. Some of the first Think Tanks were the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (1991); the International Centre for Policy Studies (1994), Razumkov Center (1994), Democratic Initiatives (1992), Center for Political and Legal Reforms (1996), Kyiv School of Economics (1996), Institute for Civil Society (1997), Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (1999), Case Ukraine (1999), in the 2000s, such well-known centers as the Ukrainian Institute for the Future and VOX Ukraine were added, but while some formed independent expertise in economics, energy, politics and social issues, many Ukrainian Institutes, unfortunately, served the interests of supporting and popularizing state policy, serving the interests and programs of governments. However, the main thing was that from the first years of independence, Ukraine began to form the basis for the emergence of independent analytical institutions capable of formulating strategies, concepts, and promoting ideas that differ from the "general line" of the state. After all, the task of think tanks is to expand the picture of the world, and to research and substantiate various alternatives and worldview concepts.

Although in the modern world, political decisions are increasingly accompanied by ideological polarization, think tanks can become key players in shaping public opinion and public policy.

A special place among the diverse network of Think Tanks is occupied by those institutions that profess the principles of classical liberalism and libertarianism - a philosophy that puts individual freedom, a limited role of the state, and the inviolability of private property at the center. According to various estimates, there are about 500 libertarian think tanks in 90 countries around the world, and this figure is cited by critics and opponents of libertarianism.

The most influential libertarian think tank, the Cato Institute (U.S.), was founded in 1977. Its vision is "a free and open society in which freedom allows everyone to lead a prosperous and meaningful life in peace." What specific and important things have this institute done?

The Cato Institute developed and promoted ideas of radical tax cuts and the elimination of benefits before the U.S. Congress. In particular, they proposed: reducing the income tax rate to 25%, the corporate tax rate to 12%, maintaining full expensing, and abolishing the estate tax. That is when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was passed in 2017 (during D. Trump's first term), which marked a significant revision of the US tax system, and the Cato Institute had a part in it. The Institute's analysts were actively involved in the process of adopting the TCJA. Cato representatives cooperated with the Congress, i.e. had an indirect impact on the decision-making process.

In addition, the Cato Institute actively opposed Obamacare health care reform, proposing market-based alternatives such as health savings accounts. Their ideas influenced Republican proposals for health care reform.

Speaking of libertarian Think Tanks, it is worth mentioning that the Mises Institute (U.S.) is a think tank named after economist Ludwig von Mises. It is one of the "purest", ideologically orthodox libertarian (anarcho-capitalist) think tanks in the world. His work focuses on promoting the Austrian School of Economics and libertarian principles. In terms of real impact on policymaking, as an example, the Mises Institute supports the idea of decentralized currencies such as Bitcoin as an alternative to state financial systems, which has contributed to the growing interest in cryptocurrencies in political circles. Although the Mises Institute is less politically influential than the Cato Institute, they actively promote a critical position on climate change through their networks (Mises Network, Property, and Freedom Society), As a result, their arguments have been used in courts, media, and by business associations to block or reduce ambitious climate policies in different countries. In other words, they are trying to build an intellectual barrier to climate reform. Unfortunately, this respected institute also remains skeptical about military assistance to Mises' homeland, Ukraine, which is currently fighting for survival in a full-scale war.

The most influential libertarian think tanks include:

Since 2024, the International Liberty Institute (ILI) has been successfully operating in Ukraine. Founded as an independent, non-profit, non-partisan think tank to promote the values of liberty and the ideas of the Austrian School of Economics, as well as to minimize government interference in the activities of businesses and individuals. The think tank engages Ukrainian scholars who adhere to the principles of the Austrian School of Economics, conducts expert research, and offers practical solutions for the economies and policies of Ukraine and other transition economies. ILI belongs to the think tanks that defend the principles of classical liberalism. These centers are united by the desire to reduce the role of the state, protect private property, and promote market mechanisms as the basis for economic development.

What makes a think tank influential? First of all, it is the level of political leaders and businessmen who listen to its advice and recommendations. As an example, let's look at who advised President Donald Trump.

During his presidency (2017-2021) and afterwards, a number of conservative and libertarian think tanks actively cooperated with Trump and his administration, offering ideas that were in line with his political vision. The most frequently mentioned when discussing Trump's decisions and their justification is Heritage Foundation. It is one of the most influential conservative think tanks in the United States and has actively supported Trump's policies. The center advocates for less government intervention, lower taxes, and stronger national security.

During the first Trump presidency, the Heritage Foundation developed a number of recommendations, including judicial reform and economic deregulation. Regarding Donald Trump's first term in office, one can also find references to the Cato Institute, whose ideas on deregulation and government spending cuts coincided with some aspects of Trump's policies. For example, as mentioned earlier, Cato supported the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced corporate taxes. The center's analysts, such as Chris Edwards, published reports that justified the need to reduce bureaucracy.

You can also find information about the impact of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), which focuses on economic and foreign policy issues, supporting the principles of free markets and strong foreign policy. The Center has advised the Trump administration on trade policy, particularly during negotiations with China. AEI analysts, such as Derek Sissors, provided recommendations for the introduction of tariffs on Chinese goods, which became the basis for the 2018-2020 trade war.

Also, Trump's speeches often quoted the conclusions Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), which is a think tank that focuses on immigration issues and advocates for stricter border control. This center has had a significant impact on Trump's immigration policy, including the construction of a wall on the border with Mexico and the implementation of a "zero tolerance" policy towards illegal immigrants.

The ideological basis for Trump's second presidential term was the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). Founded in 2021 after the end of Trump's first presidency, the AFPI has become a platform for promoting his political agenda. The center brings together former members of the Trump administration, such as Larry Kudlow, who developed proposals for Trump's second term and is now actively working on issues of economic nationalism and countering China's influence. The center professes the ideology of economic nationalism promoted by Trump.

Thus, in the real political landscape, think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, AEI, Cato Institute, CIS, and AFPI played a key role in shaping the policy course of the Donald Trump administration by providing expert advice and influencing economic, immigration, and foreign policy decisions. Specific examples confirmed their influence, such as tax reform, the trade war with China, and immigration initiatives. Modern think tanks are important players in the political landscape of the world's leading countries.

Another aspect of the think tanks' influence is the formation of public opinion, worldview, and a sound basis for decision-making. In particular, this is done through systematic analysis, structuring of information, and its publication through global indices. In recent decades, it has become not just an information tool, but a political lever, a benchmark for reforms, an indicator of investment attractiveness, and an international reputation. Almost all of the think tanks mentioned in this article are authors or co-authors of global indices that are important for management decision-making.

Ukrainian think tanks are not standing aside either, generating systemic data, models, indices, and forecasts. Without this, it is difficult to imagine modern policy, budget, or justification of international assistance directions.

Of course, this is a small part of the efficiently functioning think tanks in Ukraine, but it makes it possible to reasonably assert that Ukrainian think tanks produce research at a European level, trying to integrate into the global analytical market. In addition, they are the key suppliers of data to global rankings, as well as present their research at international events and thus contribute to the formation of Ukraine's international image.

Ukraine's think tanks are not a shadow government, but they are often its intelligence and common sense. They do not make decisions, but they generate the data without which decisions can become more like intuition or shamanism than strategy. In Ukraine, they appeared in the 1990s, when the country was fighting for its identity and looking for new ways of development. During the information and technological revolution, these institutions became a bridge between society and the government, offering independent expertise in economics, energy, and politics. However, Ukrainian Think Tanks often face challenges of funding and political pressure, which hampers their development and independent expertise, and low demand for systemic analysis and in-depth research., a shortage of highly qualified analysts who combine a strong scientific and methodological foundation for research with practical experience.

In the modern world, where information has become a currency and political decisions determine the fate of millions, Think Tanks occupy a unique niche. They are not just research institutions, but real generators of ideas that shape the political, economic, and social landscape. From the Fabian Society, founded in 1883, to today's giants such as the Heritage Foundation or the Cato Institute, these organizations have come a long way, transforming from closed clubs of intellectuals to powerful platforms that influence global policy. But are they the agents of common sense, as their supporters claim, or just servants of the power elites promoting pre-determined interests? The answer depends on how we assess their role in a dynamic world. We already have real examples that show that think tanks are not just theorists, but active participants in the political process, whose reports, recommendations, and lobbying shape laws and decisions. Their influence stretches from national parliaments to international arenas, where they set the tone for discussions on economic freedom, climate change, or global security. In the end, think tanks are a double-edged sword. They can offer innovative solutions, broaden the scope of debate, and influence policy, as the IEA did with the Thatcher reforms or Cato did with the US tax changes. But their effectiveness depends on transparency, independence, and the ability to balance ideology and objectivity. In a world where information defines power, Think Tanks remain key players that can both light the way to progress and perpetuate the status quo. Their true value lies in their ability to propose ideas that stand the test of time and serve the prosperity of society, not just the interests of individual power brokers.