The nexus between the Baltic governments and think tanks as instruments of foreign and security policy
| Published date | 01 February 2024 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/02633957221098019 |
| Author | Danguolė Bardauskaitė |
| Date | 01 February 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
https://doi.org/10.1177/02633957221098019
Politics
2024, Vol. 44(1) 140 –154
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/02633957221098019
journals.sagepub.com/home/pol
The nexus between the Baltic
governments and think tanks
as instruments of foreign and
security policy
Danguolė Bardauskaitė
General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Lithuania
Abstract
This study aims to unveil the nexus between the governments of the Baltic states and think tanks
(TTs), which work on foreign and security policy. The article argues that the Baltic governments
wish to use TTs as instruments of foreign policies, as they are highly interested in influencing well-
known TTs abroad to further their national interests. The Baltic states undertake a good deal of
effort to contribute to debates in the capitals of the powerful nations through the TT channel,
hoping that some form of support can be gained for their positions in the international arena.
Meanwhile, the governments expect domestic TTs to be visible internationally and influence policy
debates by sending Baltic-favourable messages to foreign policy communities. On the other side
of the nexus, TTs adapt to government expectations while also trying to maintain some level of
independence. The process of using TTs as instruments to further the aims of governments is
based mainly on the perceptions of government officials themselves, who are convinced that TTs
should serve policy goals. Governments dominate the nexus because TTs depend on governmental
support and/or wish to be helpful in furthering governmental goals.
Keywords
Baltic states, foreign policy, government, think tanks, small states
Received: 22nd June 2021; Revised version received: 28th March 2022; Accepted: 1st April 2022
Introduction
Despite a widening range of studies being carried out in terms of think tanks (TTs) and
their influence on state policies, it is apparent that TT research lacks insight into how
small countries and TTs develop and maintain their relationship. Besides this, while ana-
lysing TTs beyond the US and major Western European countries, scholars rarely take an
Corresponding author:
Danguolė Bardauskaitė, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Silo g. 5, Vilnius 10322,
Lithuania.
Email: danguole.bardauskaite@lka.lt
1098019POL0010.1177/02633957221098019PoliticsBardauskaitė
research-article2022
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