Blockseminar Global Think Tank Governance The Rise of transnational research consulting and advocacy networks

Abstract The seminar will explore the participation and impact of non-governmental (civil society/private sector) groups in transnational policy making, and the particular role of experts and expertise in transnational policy discourse. The empirical focus will be on (competing) research, consulting and advocacy networks and the particular role of think tanks as an organizational base and infrastructure of such networks. Does dynamic think tank growth in recent years express a shift in the location of research (away from traditional universities) and correspondingly ways in which expertise is brought to bear in policy deliberations? Who is behind the recent proliferation of think tanks? In which fields do think tanks play a role? Does think tank proliferation differ between countries or international institutional space (World Bank, EU etc.)? What are the roles think tanks play in the efforts of (competing) transnational discourse coalitions? Prominent cases for the mobilization of think tank expertise include climate change, privatization and liberalization issues, for examples. The course will involve theoretical discussion of different approaches to a political sociology of globalization (elite theories, neogramscian theory) on the one hand, and of approaches to theorizing the role of ideas in policy making and the -knowledge society- (e.g. pluralist/problem solving, discursive institutionalism, poststructuralism / ideas sensitive historical materialism). Participants will conduct a theory related inquiry into a network involving think tank activities, which can be an -embedded case- study focusing on a particular institute or groups of think tanks (researching links to constituencies, partners, allies, tasks, productions, impact etc.). Group work of students is encouraged to shed light on particular networks in different countries, arenas or issues areas. Organization: The course will be conducted in three block seminars: 1.) April 19 (2 sessions, 18-21.00: General introduction (think tanks, networks, governance etc.), key theoretical debates, and clarification of areas of interest of students: preliminary identification of student research subjects (firm commitment to be clarified until second session, May 21). 2.) May 21 (4 sessions, 9-17.30): Theoretical literature and case studies (students prepare written summaries and one presentation of select literature) 3.) July 16-17 (8 sessions, 9-17.30 each day): Students present their own cases study / network research. Reconsideration of major theories regarding private actors in international relations / international political economy and the role of ideas, knowledge, expertise in transnational policy making. Course Requirements/Anforderungen: Alle schriftlichen Arbeiten können in englischer oder in deutscher Sprache verfasst werden . Full participation in the three sessions is required. Students are expected to supply written answers to questions regarding the reading material for the second session in advance of the session (by May16, questions will be handed out along with the course material). Students are required to present one of the required course readings at the second session. Lat but not least student will research and present work in progress / final results of research in the third session (individual or group research). A written thesis on the basis of research results and / or theoretical research (15-20 pages) can be submitted during the summer. Research results can also be posted online at the new website of the think tank network research initiative (www.thinktanknetworkresearch.net). Plehwe, Dieter, Bernhard Walpen and Gisela Neunhöffer, (eds.) 2006, Neoliberal Hegemony: A Global Critique. London: Routledge Stone, Diane, 2000, ed., Banking on Knowledge: The Genesis of the Global Development Network. London: Routledge. Wedel, Janine, 2009, Shadow Elite. How the world's new power brokers undermine democracy, government, and the free market. New York: Basic Books Further readings, for example Béland, Daniel, Cox, Robert Henry, eds., 2011, Ideas and Politicals in Social Science Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press Boucher, Stephen, et al, 2004 Europe and its think tanks; a promise to be fulfilled. An analysis of think tanks specialised in European policy issues in the enlarged European Union, Studies and Research No 35, October, Paris, Notre Europe. Guilhot, Nicolas, 2005, The Democracy Makers,. New York: Columbia University Press Keck. Margaret and Kathryn Sikkink, 1998, Activists beyond Borders. Advocacy Networks in International Politics. Ithaca: Cornell University Press Plehwe, Dieter, 2010, -The Making of a Comprehensive Transnational Discourse Community-, in: Djelic, Marie Laure, Quack, Sigrid, eds., Transnational Communities- Shaping Global Economic Governance, Cambridge University Press Stone, Diane L., 2007,-Garbage Cans, Recycling Bins or Think Tanks? Three Myths about Policy Institutes- Public Administration 85.2: 259-278. Key course readings (for second session) will be made available to students online / as reader. Bemerkung Course Requirements: Full participation in three sessions, summaries of select readings and presentation of reading material in second session, research and presentation of work in progress / final results of research in third session (individual or group research), written theses on basis of research results and / or theoretical research (15-20 pages). Results can also be posted online at new website of think tank network research initiative. FB 05 Gesellschaftswissenschaften Uni Kassel SoSe 2011 Global Political Economy Dr. Plehwe Dieter