Bill Overview
Title: Think Tank Transparency Act
Description: This bill requires U.S. nonprofit think tanks to disclose to the Department of Justice any gifts, donations, or contributions from a foreign principal in amounts of $10,000 or greater. The bill also requires the think tanks to disclose contracts or agreements with foreign principals.
Sponsors: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Target Audience
Population: People influenced by think tanks
Estimated Size: 331000000
- Think tanks are specialized research institutes that can have significant influence on public policy.
- Think tanks often collaborate with government bodies, academia, and other entities that shape public policy, meaning their work can indirectly impact a broad array of societal factors.
- The transparency required by this bill could affect the decisions made by think tanks that may influence legislation or policy, thus impacting the general population of a country in which those policies are implemented.
Reasoning
- The Think Tank Transparency Act's primary impact will likely be on think tanks and their ability to influence policy without foreign bias. However, this transparency could trickle down, affecting how policies are crafted, thus indirectly impacting the wider population.
- The population most directly affected by this policy will be individuals working in or with think tanks, including researchers, policy analysts, and administrative staff. These roles might experience shifts in funding streams and project focuses, potentially impacting their job security and workplace focus.
- Indirectly, individuals engaged with policy advocacy, social change initiatives, or those dependent on policies influenced by think tanks could notice altered policy outcomes.
- Given that think tanks affect a wide array of policy areas, individuals from varied backgrounds — including those in politics, education, healthcare, and economic sectors — could see changes over time. However, the direct impact on their day-to-day well-being may be minimal or delayed.
Simulated Interviews
Policy Researcher at a Think Tank (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe transparency is essential and this act will help in establishing trust.
- There might be some initial adjustment challenges in terms of funding, but it's a positive move in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Political Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act might make it more clear where the information is coming from, which is beneficial.
- Potentially it could lead to decreased bias in policy proposals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Public School Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honestly, I don't think this policy impacts my life directly.
- However, if educational policies become more fair, that could be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Healthcare Policy Advocate (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could lead to more transparent healthcare policy proposals.
- I foresee slight positive changes in my work due to clearer motivations behind policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Economist (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More transparency is good for economic analyses and forecasts.
- May influence future economic policy directions positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It will be interesting to track how think tanks disclose foreign involvement.
- May aid academic research by providing clearer data sources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Tech Industry Executive (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Clarifying foreign involvement in think tanks could align policy closer with national interests.
- Small impact, but transparency can improve industry growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Freelance Journalist (Denver, CO)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving transparency is crucial for public trust.
- While it may not directly impact personal life, it adds value to my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Social Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Don't foresee a direct effect on my field of work at the moment.
- Over time, clearer policy influences might help in drafting better social support systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Lobbyist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency might mean re-evaluating some partnership strategies.
- Might align well with ethical lobbying practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $8000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $8100000 (Low: $5050000, High: $10100000)
Year 3: $8200000 (Low: $5100000, High: $10200000)
Year 5: $8300000 (Low: $5150000, High: $10300000)
Year 10: $8400000 (Low: $5200000, High: $10400000)
Year 100: $8500000 (Low: $5250000, High: $10500000)
Key Considerations
- The importance of transparency in foreign influence over policy decision-making.
- The potential impact on international relations and perceptions of foreign policy integrity.
- Implications for think tanks strategically funded by foreign principals.