Think-Tanks, Social Democracy and Social Policy (New Perspectives in German Political Studies)

An analysis of think-tanks in Britain and Germany and their role in the re-making of the British Labour party and Germany's Social Democrats as 'Third Way' parties. The part that think-tanks played in the creation of the the 'workfare state' in the 1990s and 2000s is also explored in this book. The question of how a policy is made or why things simply stay the same in politics has long occupied the minds of political observers. This book explores the way in which very particular political actors made a difference to policy and politics. The analytical focus is on think-tanks, hybrid creatures which exist somewhere in the spaces between government, business and academia. Think-tanks played a role in re-making the British Labour Party and German Social Democrats as 'Third Way' parties in the 1990s and 2000s. Think-tanks also helped to mould the 'workfare state' which is now characteristic of both countries. The book offers an insight into how think-tanks influenced decision-makers and how they were used by politicians and other elites to circumvent parliament and outmanoeuvre political parties. Based on over 50 interviews with policy-makers, civil servants, analysts from think-tanks and party politicians, this book is an up-to-date overview of both countries' think-tank landscapes 'With this insightful and compelling study Hartwig Pautz provides a sophisticated analysis of the contribution think-tanks have made to the politics and policies of Germany and the UK between 1992 and 2005. An illuminating read which will be enjoyed by scholars and practitioners alike.' - Ruth Wittlinger, Senior Lecturer in the School of Government and International Affairs, University of Durham, UK 'This book provides an incisive analysis of the respective contributions made by British and German think-tanks to the creation of key elements of social policy by the Labour Party and the SPD. Based on extensive empirical research, Dr. Pautz's work makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the British and German polities, and, specifically, enhances our grasp of the role played by think tanks in the policy process.' - Robert Pyper, Head of School of Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, UK Front Matter....Pages i-xii Why Study Think-Tanks? An Introduction....Pages 1-7 Politics, Policy and Expertise....Pages 8-36 The Context: Welfare State Transformation....Pages 37-51 Think-Tanks and Labour: The British Case....Pages 52-98 Think-Tanks and the SPD: The German Case....Pages 99-147 Comparing the British and German Think-Tank Worlds....Pages 148-159 Think-Tanks Today: Still Playing the Game?....Pages 160-179 Think-Tanks as Interfaces between Policy, Politics and Expertise....Pages 180-181 Back Matter....Pages 182-231