Every think tank created usually has a public policy agenda focused on a variety of political, financial, educational or even moral issues. The following 25 up and coming think tanks are no different, as they address issues that mainly adhere to a strict bi-partisan (or centrist) perspective or lean left or right politically. What makes these think tanks interesting is that they have been formed since 2004, or since the middle of the previous presidential administration.
These groups have been divided by political leaning and also are listed by year created, from earliest to the latest within those political categories. For more think tanks developed over the years, you might visit the list of think tanks gathered at Wikipedia.
Centrist
Pew Research Center (2004): The Pew Research Center is an American think tank organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States and the world.- Streit Council (2004): The Streit Council for a Union of Democracies works toward better-organized and stable cooperation among experienced democracies as the key for more effective US engagement in world affairs.
- Third Way (2005): Third Way is a combination of right-wing economics and left-wing social policies and a progressive stance on middle-class culture and clean environment.
- Future of American Democracy Foundation (2006): The mission of the Foundation is to renew and sustain the historic vision of democracy that has unified Americans throughout the nation’s history.
- Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (2006): ITIF’s founding in 2006 was described by InformationWeek as “[b]ig IT vendors … establishing their own think tank.”
- Hamilton Project (2006): Although composed mostly of Democrats, this Brookings Institution group states a clear preference for market-based solutions to America’s problems.
- Global Financial Integrity (2006): GFI promotes national and multilateral policies, safeguards, and agreements aimed at curtailing the cross-border flow of illegal money.
- Center for a New American Security (2007): CNAS is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, which specializes in U.S. national security issues. As an independent and nonpartisan research institution, CNAS engages policymakers, experts and the public with innovative fact-based research, ideas and analysis to shape and elevate the national security debate.
- Foundation for Excellence in Education (2007): Since its inception, the Institute has remained independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan. It makes no attempt to aid or hinder the passage of legislation, nor does it accept government funds or respond to special pleadings from any sector.
- The Center for the Advanced Study of Communities and Information (2008): The center’s goal is to increase understanding of community interactions and to harness the power of novel technologies to support the needs of real and virtual communities.
- Institute for New Economic Thinking (2009): This New York City-based think tank strives to provide fresh insight and thinking to promote changes in economic theory and practice.
Conservative
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (2004): CFACT is a member organization of the Cooler Heads Coalition, which aims at “dispelling the myths of global warming through sound science and analysis.”- Let Freedom Ring, Inc. (2004): This conservative think was formed to counter the attacks of anti-conservative groups on patriotic candidates as well as attacks on issues such as family, marriage, the economy, energy, abortion, health care and foreign policy.
- Americans for Prosperity (2004): AFP is committed to cutting taxes and government spending, with a focus on the judicial system and reducing red tape. This group also is focused on “a return of the federal government to its Constitutional limits.”
- National Policy Institute (2007): The National Policy Institute is a think tank based in Augusta, Georgia. It describes itself as the right’s answer to the Southern Poverty Law Center and promotes policies for white Americans.
- AEI Legal Center for the Public Interest (2007): In September 2007, the National Legal Center for the Public Interest (NLC) merged into the American Enterprise Institute to become the AEI Legal Center for the Public Interest (AEILC), dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics, and social welfare.
Liberal
National Security Network (2006): The National Security Network (NSN) was founded to revitalize America’s national security policy, bringing cohesion and strategic focus to the progressive national security community. It also hosts the liberal global affairs blog Democracy Arsenal.- Campus Progress (2005): Campus Progress is a national organization that works with and for young people to promote progressive solutions to key political and social challenges.
- Roosevelt Institute Campus Network (2004): Formerly the Roosevelt Institution, this is the first student-run policy research group or “think tank” in the United States.
Libertarian
Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (2005): The mission of The Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism is to examine and to increase public awareness of the moral foundations of capitalism.- Middlebury Institute (2005): The goal of the institute is to foster a national movement to place secession on the national political agenda and encourage secessionist and separatist movements in the U.S. and abroad.
- Show-Me Institute (2005): The Show-Me Institute is a research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Missouri by advancing solutions to state and local policy issues.
- Sam Adams Alliance (2006): This nonprofit think tank is dedicated to the idea of Same Adams as CMO of the colonies if they had been incorporated.
- Ocean State Policy Research Institute (2007): Ocean State Policy Research Institute was founded by William J. Felkner, who is chiefly known as an advocate for libertarian principles in education and social services.
- Caesar Rodney Institute (2008): The Caesar Rodney Institute’s vision is to be the catalyst for improved performance, accountability, and efficiency in Delaware government.