University of world economy and diplomacy of ministry of foreign affairs of republic of uzbekistan

2.The role of brain centers in determining the current state of foreign policy research.

2.1 Typology and classification of Asian opinion tanks

An description of think tanks in Asia is included in the second segment and this is where I got into some trouble. The stated objective of this chapter is to examine 'the presence and influence of think tanks in Asia and the emergence of new global trends in think tank growth, as well as the position of Asian think tanks in the world today.' Unfortunately, instead, this 100-plus page chapter offers something of a disjointed series of one-shots of the nation that did not follow a discernible trend or organization. Some nations have been covered in depth and detail (China), while others have earned less than a page (Malaysia). What facets of each nation and think tanks studied often appear to be arbitrarily picked without explanation.⁶ The Central Asia segment addresses the five main issues discussed by the region's think tanks. Instead, the Singapore portion reports on per capita population shifts per think tank. In reality, only a few countries had any 'proposed proposals' (the Republic of Korea) that discussed the book's core theme. Without some simple framework, this chapter was more of a challenge to understanding than a basis for understanding.

Categories of Think Tank Affiliation

Autonomous and independent	A policy research center with significant independence from any one interest group or donor, and autonomous from government in its operation and funding
Quasi-independent	A policy research center that is autonomous from government in operation and funding but is controlled by an interest group, donor, or contracting agency that provides most of the funding and has significant influence over the think tank’s operations
University affiliated	A policy research center at a university
Political party affiliated	A policy research center formally affiliated with a political party
Government affiliated	A policy research center that is part of the structure of government
Quasi-governmental	A policy research center funded exclusively by government grants and contracts but not a part of the formal structure of government
Corporate	A for profit public policy research organization, either affiliated with a corporation or merely operating on a for profit basis^7

Explain the role of policy and the influence of think tanks in Asia.

As varied as the countries themselves, the positions and policy implications are. Think tanks have a somewhat small influence in repressive countries and frequently operate more to legitimize official politics than to educate them. Such so-called 'thought tanks' are, at best, apologists for the agenda of the government. At worse, they may be devices for the government to control or intervene with political actors who might attempt to oppose the policies of the government.

Think tanks play a number of positions in more open nations; they provide spaces where fresh and creative policy proposals can be presented, debated, and disseminated. Informal conferences and forums are held where leaders, policy analysts, civil society and academia can come together and debate policy at all levels.

Think tanks run at all sizes, with some focusing exclusively on local affairs, while some are more concerned with a single field of policy or an individual country. While rarer, regional-level Asian think tanks are now starting to run and coordinate forums and dialogues that involve participants and policy topics that span several countries.

How do Asian think-tanks in their respective countries and regions contribute to the growth of civil society and political discourse?

A very special void in Asian politics is occupied by Asian think tanks. They create a room where social expectations are suspended so that officials can talk candidly about topics that are deemed too delicate for structured procedures to be raised. This "informal" spaces act as a conduit between knowledge and authority; a special chance that those in power will entertain new policy ideas.

There is a disconnection between formal politics and the behavior of civil society in Asia with respect to civil society. Think tanks should, on the one hand, provide an environment of shared ground in which civil society activists can engage with politicians. In the other hand, think tanks have also been used to perform "lip service" to civil society's issues, meaning that they are used to offer the appearance that the government is open to complaints or feedback, but actually serves as a means to defer political opposition.

What are the three major patterns in the quantity and efficiency of Asian think tanks, considering the growing global significance of Asia?

Three big trends: higher numbers, increasing interconnectedness, and more liberty.

Since mid-2000, the number of Asian think tanks has risen exponentially, but has not yet caught up with the U.S. or Europe. Despite being home to half of the global population, Asia comprises just 25 percent of the global think tanks.

Many Asian think tanks have networked with other think tanks because of a shortage of human capital and stable support to pool their expertise and expand their impact. Globalization and better access to digital services also enabled networking and cooperation.

Finally, as more varied funding streams (international funding, loans, companies, wealthier individuals) become available, Asian think tanks begin to press for autonomy. This would result in greater freedom of ideology and an expanded wealth of study of politics. It is possible that all three of these variables would lead to improved efficiency.⁸