Table
of Contents
Public Policy Think Tanks
Interest Group/Quasi-Think Tank
Political Parties
Other sources of Interest
Peer Reviewed Journals
Government Sites
Media

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Policy Think Tanks
This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some
good ones!
American Enterprise Institute Conservative economic and foreign policy think tank
American Foreign Policy Council Issue briefs and articles since 1995, primarily on U.S. relations with Russia and China
Baker Institute of Public Policy Sponsored by Rice University in honor of James A. Baker. Speeches and executive summaries on foreign and domestic policy issues
Brookings Institution
A FAVORITE
Private, non-profit, independent institute analyzing U.S.
government policy and international relations. Summaries
of position papers on "hot topics" and selected Congressional
testimony. Table of contents for the Brookings Review
and selected articles
Bureau of Governmental Research Non-profit research institute analyzing public administration in New Orleans but affecting all metropolitan areas. Bibliography of publications and links to university public policy institutes.
Carter Center Center founded by Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter to counter world hunger, disease, poverty, conflict, and oppression. News and annual reports on projects. Searchable by keyword
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Reports and working papers, primarily on US-Russian relations and nuclear non-proliferation. Economic development and democratization efforts around the world
Cato
Institute
A FAVORITE
Philosophy of limited government, free market, and individual
liberty. "Hot Topics" has the text of Cato Institute position
papers, arranged by subject and searchable by keyword.
Congressional testimony by institute representatives.
Center
for Budget and Policy Priorities
A FAVORITE
Non-partisan think tank focused on policy issues affecting lower
and moderate-income citizens. Extensive, full text
analyses on such subjects as welfare reform, medicaid, food
stamps, and block grants. Includes search engine.
Center for Defense Information Arms Trade Data Base provides the text of news articles on arms trade, arranged by country. Weekly Defense Monitor includes position papers. U.S. military spending clock.
Center for International Governance Articles and position pages on international issues, such as UN Reform, safe drinking water, environment
Center
for Strategic and International Studies
A FAVORITE
Papers on Russian, Asian, and Middle East relations.
National and international employment and social issues. Catalog
of publications
Center for Media and Public Affairs
A FAVORITE
Nonpartisan research organization on the news media. Its
Newswatch is a daily magazine that
analyzes the accuracy of daily news from media critics.
The full text is searchable.
Center for Public Integrity Non-partisan organization promoting ethics in government. 50 States Project rates states on public disclosure laws. Research reports on financing presidential and Congressional elections
Center for Responsive Politics
A FAVORITE
Non-partisan research group monitoring campaign reform.
Congressional campaign finance filings. Open
Secrets Lobby group campaign contributions to
Members of Congress arranged by industry and separately by
member. Web version in Adobe Acrobat format corresponds to
paper version in Documents Center (JK 1991 .M261)
Commonwealth Institute Progressive think tank on defense and economic issues. Numerous on-line analyses of U.S. defense posture, the Quadrennial Defense Review (federal government), and capitalism
Council for Livable World Founded in 1962 by eminent nuclear physicist Leo Szilard, provides senators with sophisticated technical and scientific information that helps them make intelligent decisions about nuclear arms control, strategic and conventional weapons, the military budget and United Nations peacekeeping.
Economic Policy Institute Nonprofit, non-partisan think tank on U.S. economics. Press releases and executive summaries of working papers on such subjects as school funding, living standards, and the budget. Links to government economic data including archived material.
Employment Policies Institute Research on entry level jobs and the minimum wage. Includes press releases and research reports, including youth and welfare employment.
European Policy Institutes Network Association of 40 member think tanks in 28 European countries. Web site has working papers on various aspects of the European Union and on individual country positions about the EU.
Family Research Council A Judeo-Christian organization, founded by evangelical minister James Dobson to influence and shape public policy.
Foreign Policy Association Membership organization geared toward debate and education on foreign policy. Briefing papers on foreign policy issues from its own sources and those of other think tanks.
Free Market Net Libertarian think tank. Current news and links to opinion pieces on libertarian issues.
Heritage Foundation Conservative think tank dedicated to limited government, individual freedom, a free market, and strong defense. Text of public policy papers on various topics, including crime, education, foreign policy, health care, and trade. Index of Economic Freedom for countries in the world. Extensive list of conservative think tanks. Numerous statistics in support of its positions.
Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace Description of programs, research, and archival holdings. Text of press releases
Hudson Institute Conservative think tank on domestic and international policy issues. Summaries of its briefings and current periodicals
Interhemispheric Resource Center Promotes internationalism in U.S. foreign policy and U.S.-Mexico relations. Numerous periodicals and issue briefs.
International Center for Economic Growth Non-profit think tank on international economics. Full text of newsletter articles since 1998. Catalog of publications.
John M. Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs Conservative think tank focused on constitutional, educational, and economic issues. Full text of current editorials, current issue of On Principle and Right from the Center Catalog of publications.
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Non-profit organization providing public policy information on issues affecting black Americans. Summaries of selected papers include public opinion polls on such topics as race relations, children, black participation in the Republican Party. Full text of annual report.
Kennedy School of Government
A FAVORITE
Working papers of the Political Research Group. Includes
the abstract, full text, and information about the author.
Max Planck Society:
A FAVORITE
A consortium of 80
institutes, research units, and working groups that are devoted
to a wide range of especially promising research areas. Each
institute has a special statutory task be it to research the
structure of matter, the function of our nervous system, or the
birth and development of stars and galaxies. Max Planck
Institutes work largely in an interdisciplinary setting and in
close cooperation with universities and research institutes in
Germany and abroad to generate cutting-edge knowledge and
technological breakthroughs and to produce highly qualified,
internationally competitive junior scientists and researchers.
Morrison Institute for Public Policy (Arizona State
University)
Research projects on state and local
governance with emphasis on Arizona. Economics, education,
environment, government, effect of tax cuts. Full text of
Arizona Policy Choices and selected
other publications available online.
National
Bureau of Economic Research
Full text of working papers in Adobe Acrobat format since 1973.
Description of economic, labor, and health research. Several
historical on-line economic data bases and a description of
historic U.S. business cycles.
National
Center for Economic and Security Alternatives
Models, bibliographies and case studies. Focus on
community development; forthcoming guides on non-profit
institutions and security affairs. Annotated web links in
all three areas.
National
Center for Policy Analysis
A FAVORITE
Non-profit, non-partisan public policy think
tank. Pro and con issue papers on health care, taxes,
Social Security, welfare, education, and environment. Background
papers on high school debate topics supplemented by statistics.
Includes text of relevant bills and opinions of other think
tanks.
National Priorities Project
Lobby group on federal budget priorities. Data on previous
budgets and the impact of current budget proposals on state and
local areas. Subjects include jobs, education, hunger, health
care, taxes, and children.
Nelson A.
Rockefeller Institute of Government
Public policy institute focusing on the role of state
governments. Issue papers, grants, and on-going projects.
Pew Internet and American Life Project
Produces reports that explore the impact of the
Internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life,
education, health care, and civic and political life. The
Project aims to be an authoritative source on the evolution of
the Internet through collection of data and analysis of
real-world developments as they affect the virtual world
Pew
Research Center for The People and The Press
An independent opinion research group that studies
attitudes toward the press, politics and public policy issues.
This center is best known for regular national surveys that
measure public attentiveness to major news stories, and for
polling that chart trends in values and fundamental political
and social attitudes.
Pioneer Institute
Public policy think tank for Massachusetts issues.
Includes policy briefs and white papers. Focus on charter
schools, deregulation and contracting.
Progressive Policy Institute
Think tank sponsored by the Democratic Leadership Council.
Numerous papers and briefs on domestic and international issues.
Public Agenda
Nonpartisan, issue-oriented think tank. Presents eighteen
issues, including abortion, crime, gambling, immigration,
internet privacy, social security, and welfare. For each
issue provides background, links to lobby groups, a digest of
news stories, basic statistics, and a variety of state laws.
Numerous public opinion polls
Rand
Corporation
A FAVORITE
Non-profit research organization. "Research Areas"
includes a subject bibliography of RAND publications since 1985
with abstracts of the reports and articles in the
RAND Research Review since 1994. "Hot Topics"
has the full-text of current policy papers
Resources
for the Future
Research projects on the environment, natural resources, weapons
cleanup. Includes the full text of completed reports
Russell Sage Foundation
Liberal think tank focused on research in the social sciences.
Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute
Promotes international disarmament. Summaries of the
SIPRI Yearbook, beginning 1993, cover
major armed conflicts, military spending, and disarmament
developments. Describes SIPRI research areas, such as its
Chemical and Biological Disarmament program
Twentieth
Century Fund
Progressive think tank. Position papers on
economics, government, foreign policy, and health care.
United
States Institute of Peace
Promotes the resolution of international conflict without
violence. Describes the organization's work, internships
and grants. Bibliography of free printed publications
Urban
Institute
A FAVORITE
Non-profit policy research organization on U.S. social and
economic problems. Hot Topics
includes position papers and testimony on such subjects as block
grants, civil rights, education, health, medicare, and taxes
Political Parties
American Reform Party - A splinter group of the Reform Party Texas
Nazi Parties
Comprehensive Index (National Political Index)
Platforms
National Party Platforms (American Presidency Project)
Party platforms since 1840 for all parties receiving electoral votes
Republican
Current Agendas
Republican Platform 2004 (GOP Convention)
Ten policy changes the Republican candidates for the 104th Congress House of Representatives brought to the table
Includes bill text and description
Democratic
Interest Group/Quasi-Think Tanks
Again, not exhaustive but pretty darn
close. BE CAREFUL HERE. NOT ALL OF THESE ARE
INTEREST GROUPS BY THE STRICT DEFINITION. THEY MAY BE
501(c)(3) tax-exempt, organizations that do not
lobby (in other words, they do NOT have PACs associated directly
under their organizations). Some groups DO have 501(c)(3)
status, BUT, establish separate PACs outside of their
organization for the SOLE purpose of political lobbying.
Focus on the Family is an example of one such organization that
has done this by establishing their PAC "Family Research
Council" that purports itself to be a 'think-tank' of the
caliber of Brookings or Cato. Be careful when you are
looking at these and be sure to look at the 'More about 'us' or
about ______' page on their links to learn more.
State Public
Interest Research Groups
Public Interest Research Groups are a network of
independent, state-based, citizen-funded organizations that
advocate for the public interest.
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA)
Annie E Casey
Foundation
A FAVORITE
Center
for Public Integrity
A FAVORITE
Children's Defense Fund
A FAVORITE
Death Penalty Information Center
A FAVORITE
Media
Matters
A FAVORITE
National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Congressional Research Service Reports
Free search service for all Congressional Research Service
reports that have been posted on the web. The CRS is the
public policy research arm of the U.S. Congress and is known
for non-partisan, in-depth analysis of public policy issues.
CRS does not publish its reports, but many of them have been
made available by government agencies and members of
Congress.
CQ
Researcher
[Congressional Quarterly, Inc.] Covers the most current and
controversial issues of the day with complete summaries,
insight into all sides of the issues, bibliographies and
more. Users may browse through articles in the current issue
or search for past articles using words, dates or other
criteria.
CQ
Weekly
[Congressional Quarterly, Inc.] Nonpartisan news and
analysis of legislative issues in plain English covering
virtually every act of the U.S. Congress including floor
votes from 1983 to the present day. Searchable by topic,
exact phrase, bill number, date, and Boolean full-text.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
[GaleGroup] Covers controversial topics. Includes background
information and pro and con essays published in the
following series: Opposing Viewpoints, Information Plus, At
Issue, Contemporary Issues Companion, Current Controversies,
Opposing Viewpoints Digests, and Teen Decisions. Resources
may also include: text from a limited selection of reference
books, magazine and newspaper articles, statistics, images,
primary documents, and web sites on the topics. Study tools
and guidelines include tips on judging information; using
the essays; citing resources; and organizing, writing,
developing and presenting reports and oral presentations.
SAC database (must log in with student ID)
American Political Science Review (APSR) Online: Peer reviewed journal (the big one for Political Science in general)
Review of Policy Research: Coverage of substantive issues related to policy formation, implementation and evaluation, and theoretical pieces on controversies in the study of policy.
Policy Studies Review: Research and technical reports theoretical and applied policy science.
Public Policy Research: Peer reviewed coverage of key developments in public policy. The "left-leaning" journal of the Institute for Public Policy Research. Primary focus on UK, covers the EU and the USA as well.
Economic Policy Review: Focus on articles and research in the area of economic policy.
Policy & Practices of Public Human Services: Articles on every aspect of welfare, the human services, and related fields that examine national social policy issues, illuminate social work theory and social legislation.
AIDS and Public Policy Journal: Articles about the social, political, ethical, and legal issues arising in public health and health policy as they relate to AIDS.
Analyses of Social Issues & Public Policy: Offers information on a variety of social problems.
Criminal Justice Policy Review: Focuses on the study of criminal justice policy through experimental and non-experimental approaches.
Critical Social Policy: Presents advocacy, analysis and debate on social policy issues from socialist, feminist, anti-racist and radical perspectives.
Education Policy: Interdisciplinary journal of analysis and research on educational policy and practice at the local, national, and international levels.
Environmental Economics & Policy Studies: Provides an international forum for debates among diverse disciplines such as environmental economics, environmental policy studies & related fields.
Forum for Applied Research & Public Policy: Ceased. Articles, commentary, and book reviews to further public understanding and aid public policy in the fields of energy, science and technology, environment, and economic development.
Global Social Policy: Analyzes the contribution of a range of international actors to global social policy and social development discourse and practice.
Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy: Articles, review articles and commentary on various aspects of the legal system and public policy. Recent decision; Historical overviews; Litigation analysis.
Journal of Aging & Social Policy: Forum for the analysis, argument, research and advocacy of social policy as it affects the aging population.
Journal of Disability Policy Studies: Covers topics on disability policy from the perspectives of a variety of academic disciplines
Journal of Health & Social Policy: Articles on health, social policy issues, policy formation and implementation aimed at professionals in the health care and social work fields.
The list goes on, just type policy into the search engine and almost 200 journals are available.
Media
Of course you can log into the
Library site and access news and journal articles from the
Academic Universe but here are some direct links
All Politics (Time/CNN/CQ)
Daily news coverage of U.S. politics
Issues matrix includes Time/CNN public opinion polls
Archived coverage of elections since 1996 includes primary/caucus calendars, exit polls, and results
Links to commentaries from 325 political columnists and political cartoons
Cable News Network (CNN)
News stories on current political issues, often with the full-text of relevant documents
Recent material and election coverage archived in subject groups
Summaries or full text of recent CNN political programs
Daily stories on U.S. politics
Links to major political magazines, news magazines and newspapers
Daily newspaper with the full text of lead articles (U.S., international, cultural, crossword)
Archive back to 1980 searchable by subject
Lists online newspapers by state and foreign country
Includes foreign language papers
Full text of opinion and news commentary from around the world
Separate sections for politics, business, technology, sports, health, and arts
Searchable by keyword or browsable by geography
Several articles on todays Congressional news; archive only by subscription
Extensive policy briefings on a current topic (e.g. appropriations) changed every few weeks
News and analysis of national and state politics
Special reports on hot topics
Campaign calendars, candidate assessments
Public opinion polls