This article revisits the discussion about what a think-tank is, what it does and how it does what it does. The article argues that the definition of what constitutes a think-tank should focus on the functions that it fulfils and not so much on the organizational form, as is the case with dominant perspectives. The article offers a revised think-tank definition and, as a second step, discusses a Gramsci-inspired critical approach to understanding the function of think-tanks and, third, adopts Marten Hajer’s discourse coalition concept to explain how think-tanks became effective as state-external agents of change.
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