Reconstructive Critics: Think in Tanks in Post-Soviet Bloc Democracies

Kevin Quigley, Vice President for Contemporary Affairs and Corporate Programs, The Asia Society
Ray Struyk's Reconstructive Critics provides a treasure trove of insightful information on the roles played by think tanks in opening up the policy process in the new democracies of the former Soviet bloc, as well as a thoughtful series of recommendations about how think tanks can improve their performance. It is bound to be the standard work on the role played by think tanks in the former communist states.

R. Kent Weaver, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
Reconstructive Critics provides a careful, thoughtful analysis of the emergence and current challenges facing think tanks in Eastern Europe, based on first-hand observation and extensive interviews. Struyk's delineation of the difficulties of establishing independent sources of policy advice in this region make it must reading for students of civil society and transitions to democracy. His policy recommendations to Western donors, East European governments, and think tank managers provide a welcome blueprint for building a more vibrant think tank sector in this region in the years to come.

Michael McFaul, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Stanford University, and Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Struyk has written a first-rate, comprehensive review of the difficult process of establishing independent think tanks in the postcommunist world. The book is a must for anyone working in think tanks in this area.

Book Description
This book provides the first in-depth examination of the activities of think tanks in the former Soviet bloc. Based upon detailed fieldwork, including interviews with think tank personnel and senior policy-makers in four countries, the author assesses their success in influencing policy and creating a citizenry that is better informed on key policy issues. Chapters include a general discussion of the policy research industry; a detailed profile of think tanks in Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Armenia; and a critical analysis of their policy record in these countries. Most important, the author offers a set of specific, concrete proposals for what the donor community - both Western foundations and bilateral and multilateral aid agencies - can do to strengthen the operations of think tanks in this rapidly changing region.


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

Struyk, an analyst of housing policy and finance and community development with the Urban Institute was inspired for this account by Russian and Hungarian think tanks he worked with in 1990 and 1991, as well as efforts to create or restructure such bodies in the west. He draws on interviews with people from think tanks and policy makers in Armenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Russian Federation, and with representatives of the donor community both in those countries and elsewhere. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices