What is a "think tank"? Is DU a "think tank"?

[kentuck]

Is it possible to have a think tank on the Internet? After all, aren't most think tanks behind closed doors? Are they in the open like DU? (Of course, DU is very selective in who it chooses to participate in the discussions. Right-wingers whose sole intent is to disrupt or hinder open discussion do not last long)

Also, it is possible to be a part of DU and to remain anonymous to a large extent. Even outsiders, looking for talking points or new political thoughts, can visit DU and no one will ever know, if they so desire. With those parameters, should DU be considered a "think tank"?

[Robbien]

1. Usually think tanks have an 'in' with political party leadership

I do not believe DU has such a link.

Hopefully they are lurking though.

[kentuck]

2. Obviously not a "typical" think tank...

But, wouldn't it be nice for the Democratic Party to have a place to air ideas and thoughts without the scrutiny of the right-wing media? :)

[acmavm]

3. DU may not have an 'in' with the current party leadership, but it is known

that many different people come here and read what people are posting. And some of them are high-profile. While sometimes threads can degenerate into some really silly arguments, most of what I read here are ideas that are well-reasoned and intelligent. In fact, there have been predictions by people on this board who, when the truth has come out, have been very dead-on accurate.

I think in it's own way, DU can be considered a 'think-tank'.

[Zorra]

4. I think it is. n/t

[TheDonkey]

5. I believe DU is a modern day "think tank"

People from around the world share knowledge of Democratic politics on DU. It's a great resource for us, as well as people lurking. I'm sure the party elite lurk or get interns to lurk on DU and see what we are talking about. I'm amazed to this day that DU talking points sometimes sprout up on the national level.

[Taxloss]

6. Think tanks exist to float policy ideas.

That mmight or might not be taken up by political parties. They exist because it means that informed, intelligent (in theory ...) people outside office are able to come up with stuff that politicos can't because they're politicos.

What I mean is that they're proactive, and while many are partisan, they do not campaign on behalf of their parties (at least in the UK) and are not activist beyond at a policy level.

DU is a more reactive, campaigning and activism-led site, and I have seen few platform policies floated, here, so I would say it is not a thinktank.

[vetwife]

8. I think it is a think tank. We may not be traditional but how many here

learn something and take it to the airwaves and to letters to editors and media and legislators and to the campaign trail? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

[Taxloss]

9. That's valuable work, but not think tank work

Think tanks brainstorm about what should be done, not pool information about what is being done. That's activism. Think tanks develop policy.

[Boredtodeath]

7. No, for one reason

A true think tank allows all opinion, including that which goes against the mainstream.

Try saying anything negative about Clinton or Gore, even if true, on DU and watch the assault one endures.

No, it's more closely like the Bush administration - say what the majority wants to hear or get banned to Siberia.

[Catt03]

10. LOL

Test

I appreciate your opinion.

[kentuck]

12. I'm not sure groups like the Heritage Foundation allows "all opinions" ??

Or any opinion that go against their right-wing preconceptions - such as tax cuts bring in more money to our Treasury and create more jobs...

[Toots]

11. I don't think we are actually focused enough to be an actual Think Tank

But we are a plethora of ideas that need to be explored in an actual Think tank. We are the idea people and the research people. We come up with initial research data and then it gets picked up by the "Big Boys" DU rocks