Global Think Tanks provides a clear description of and context for the global proliferation of think tanks. Whilst these institutions are still relatively new players in global and national politics, they are becoming a significant source of strength in an increasingly transnational and less Western-led world. This work presents an important guide to the factors contributing to the proliferation of think tanks, the present nature of this proliferation, and the future of think tanks at the global, regional, and national level. The book: identifies the forces driving these phenomena by addressing some of the historical and current factors that have dominate policy debates around the world attempts to identify the range of existing global think tanks and a representative group of global public policy networks and conduct detailed profiling of these organizations. extrapolate trends in current think tank research that provide a basis for understanding the impact that think tanks have on policy makers identifies and critique the role of global think tanks and global public policy networks in civil society and analyze the challenges and opportunities facing global think tanks and policy networks. seeks to recommend improvements to think tanks and global public policy networks so that they can continue to contribute to global public policy and serve as a catalyst for civic engagement around the world. Examining the issues that face think tanks on a global scale, this book will be of great interest to all students of international relations and international organizations.

China's momentous socioeconomic transformation is not taking place in an intellectual vacuum: Chinese scholars and public intellectuals are actively engaged in fervent discussions about the country's domestic and foreign policies, demographic constraints, and ever-growing integration into the world community. This book focuses on China's major think tanks where policies are initiated, and on a few prominent thinkers who influence the way in which elites and the general public understand and deal with the various issues confronting the country.The book examines a number of factors contributing to the rapid rise of Chinese think tanks in the reform era. These include the leadership's call for 'scientific decision-making,' the need for specialized expertise in economics and finance as China becomes an economic powerhouse, the demand for opinion leaders in the wake of a telecommunication revolution driven by social media, the accumulation of human and financial capital, and the increasing utility of the 'revolving door' nature of think tanks.It has been widely noted that think tanks and policy advisors have played an important role in influencing the strategic thinking of the top leadership, including the formation of ideas such as the 'Three Represents,' 'China's peaceful rise,' 'One Belt, One Road,' and the founding of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). In 2014, President Xi Jinping made think tank development a national strategy, and he claimed that 'building a new type of think tank with Chinese characteristics is an important and pressing mission.'Though the media outside China has often reported on this important development, it has all but escaped rigorous scholarly scrutiny. This book will categorize Chinese think tanks by their various forms, such as government agencies, university-based think tanks, private think tanks, business research centers or consultancies, and civil society groups. It will not only analyze the problems and challenges in China's think tank development, but also reveal the power of ideas.

Completely revised and updated, this textbook continues to offer the most comprehensive resource available. Concise chapters from a diverse mix of established and emerging global scholars offer accessible, in-depth coverage of the history and theories of international organization and global governance and discussions of the full range of state, intergovernmental, and non-state actors. All chapters have been revised and rewritten to reflect the rapid development of world events, with new chapters added on: Chinese approaches to international organization and global governance The UN System The Global South Sustaining the Peace Queering International Organization and Global Governance Post-colonial Global Governance The Sustainable Development Goals The English School Inequality Migration Divided into seven parts woven together by a comprehensive introduction, along with separate introductions to each part and helpful pointers to further reading, International Organization and Global Governance provides a balanced, critical perspective that enables readers to comprehend more fully the role of myriad actors in the governance of global life.

This book aims to explain the secret to China’s rapid growth over the last 40 years from the viewpoint of a firsthand witness. Zheng Xinli was enrolled as a graduate student of economics 40 years ago, at a time when very few Chinese people could enroll in higher-level education, let alone graduate school. Since 1978, he has been engaged in the study of macroeconomic theory and economic policy. He has worked with the economic group of the Research Section of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Information Center, and the Policy Research Office of the State Planning Commission, as well as other organizations. His work serves to help Chinese leaders in making economic decisions. In 2013, Zheng Xinli appeared on the list of China’s Top Ten Economists. With the addition of several up-to-date articles, this book is mainly a condensed version of a 16-volume collection of essays selected from among the more-than-500 articles published by Zheng between 1981 and 2016. Addressing some of the major issues in China, namely, Reform and Development, Development Patterns, Macro Regulation, Balanced Urban and Rural Development, Innovation, and Industry Revitalization, the book, as Zheng himself puts it, visualizes the birth process of different policies and measures which have catered to the different stages of reform. As an insider, and also partly as a designer and architect, Zheng Xinli provides readers with a view of China’s reform from the top.

Profound changes are being hewn in Japanese communities, as historical precedents, proven models, established guidelines, and fixed rules are challenged and more appropriate alternatives sought. In this volume, seven sociologists show how fundamental structures have been undergoing change at the grassroots level in Japan because of decentralization and globalization. Citizen activism in local governance is growing, in response to new societal phenomena such as an increase in the foreign resident population and weakened local industries. Along with decentralization, many local authorities are promoting new measures to actively cope with the impact of globalization and to work with nongovernmental organizations and community businesses to meet the new needs of citizens. This volume chronicles the practical and incremental changes in community-level governance and how such change has redefined the duties of prefectures and local authorities--clearly pointing toward Japan's new road to pluralism. Contributors include Kanagawa Koji (Research Institute for Regional Policy, 21st Century Hyogo Project Association), Kashiwazaki Chikako (Department of Sociology, Sophia University), Nakamura Madoka (Center for Policy Research Information, National Institute for Research Advancement), Tamura Shigeru (Local Autonomy College, Ministry of Home Affairs), and Numao Ogura Namiko (College of Economics, Nihon University). Furukawa Shun'ichi is professor of policy and planning sciences at Tsukuba University. Menju Toshihiro is senior program officer at the Japan Center for International Exchange.

The world of public policy is becoming increasingly small due to dramatic changes in global communications, political and economic institutional structures, and to nation states themselves. This book evaluates the implications of these changes and challenges for both the study and the practice of policy transfer, and provides a unique understanding of the relationship between systemic globalizing forces and the increasing scope and intensity of policy transfer activity. It provides: an explanation of policy transfer as a process of organizational learning; an insight into how and why such processes are studied by policy scientists; an evaluation of its use by policy practitioners; and the first published collection of policy transfer case studies between developed countries, from developed to developing countries, and from developing countries.

“It’s the mission of New Education to keep exploring and moving forward. The story is not finished yet, the road is unfolding before us.”—Zhu Yongxin A pioneer in the field of educational experiment, Zhu Yongxin has led the way to initiating positive, dynamic changes in today’s schools that benefit teachers and students alike. In this powerful collection of his most popular lectures, Yongxin takes us on an inspiring journey through China’s New Education Experiment, putting theory to practice, life into learning, and joy into hearts and minds. He shows us how to: Join Hands to Fulfill the Dream of New Education Create an Ideal Classroom Let the Classroom Be the Source of Happiness for Teachers and Students Construct the Daily Life of Education & Teaching with New Education Concepts and Actions Face Transformation Directly and Go All Out Let Life Bloom in the Classroom Based on the enlightening lectures of China’s forward-thinking educator Zhu Yongxin, this landmark collection tracks the ongoing evolution of the new educational ideals that are transforming our schools, our communities, and our future. Divided into three thematic sections—the New Education Experiment, micro educational issues, and macro educational issues—the book explores some of the most exciting advances in education today. With each thought-provoking lecture, Yongxin tackles subjects crucial to the success of our schools, from educating and motivating our teachers to engaging and preparing our students on the path to a brighter tomorrow. Lectures include: The New Education Experiment and Professional Development of Teachers Educational Think Tanks and Educational Innovation A Few Questions Concerning the Building of the Digital Community We Are All Dream Chasers Six Secrets to Success Be a Teacher Who Is Respected by Students How to Improve the Qualities of Rural Teachers Children’s Books in the Digital Era Small and Big Wisdom Thoughts on Reforming China’s Educational Management A Call for the Humanistic Spirit These are the concepts and practices that are changing the way we live and learn. This is the roadmap that will help us move forword, in our schools, homes, and beyond. This is the journey we all must make together, to evolve, grow, and succeed. In the words of Zhu Yongxin, “Education changes because of you.”