Factual studies can help think tanks

James G. McGann, director of Think Tanks and Civil Society Program at the University of Pennsylvania, heads the team that prepares a report on global think tanks every year. Since 2006, when the yearly process started, the ranking in the report has been taken as an important reference point for the think tanks' quality and influence. In an interview with Li Yang at the Center for China and Globalization, a think tank in Beijing, McGann tells China Daily the opportunities and challenges for Chinese think tanks as they try to go global.

[Photo / Chinadaily.com.cn]

Q: How can Chinese think tanks become globally influential?

A: They should embrace innovation and institutional diversity. China has nothing to fear from a larger, more diverse set of think tanks, including the truly independent think tanks ... The rewards and nature of bureaucracy-based think tanks is that there's no incentive institutionally (or) organizationally, as suggested by Max Weber, for innovation and organizational renewal ... Chinese think tanks need to recruit staff with new skills and new ideas, and create a national network of think tanks in China that encourages innovation and exchange of these practices.

Q: Is the booming of think tanks in China today real or simply a response to President Xi Jinping's call?

A: The frequency of Xi mentioning the role of think tanks could mean, "I need ideas and I need them fast" ... China's think tanks are not diversified enough, and not changing and coming up with innovative ideas. The unique part in history is that China doesn't have the luxury of time, because all these issues, just look out of the window (the smog), are pressing the media.

Q: Could you give some examples of the failure of some famous Western think tanks, as we learn more from failure than success?

A: Coming late to the game, China has the ability to essentially focus on all the positive features and essentially not make the same mistakes that other countries and think tanks have made. Choosing a director based on ... the skills that are required to innovate and lead a think tank is key. The world is riddled with failed think tanks that simply didn't do this.