Democracy and Participation - Think Tanks

Question 1

Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) – Influence?

Answer 1

Yes. Free-market think tank with strong ties to Conservative MPs. Influenced Liz Truss’s 2022 mini-budget (tax cuts, deregulation), though this backfired economically.

Question 2

Resolution Foundation – Influence?

Answer 2

Yes. Respected on issues of living standards and inequality. Influenced policy debates around minimum wage and cost-of-living crisis. Cited by both Labour and Conservative politicians.

Question 3

Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) – Influence?

Answer 3

Yes. Founded by Iain Duncan Smith (2004), helped shape Conservative welfare reforms including Universal Credit and the “workfare” approach.

Question 4

Adam Smith Institute – Influence?

Answer 4

Yes. Promotes free markets and low taxes. Influenced Conservative economic thinking, especially during Boris Johnson’s and Truss’s leadership.

Question 5

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) – Influence?

Answer 5

Yes. Left-leaning think tank. Influenced Labour under Blair and Starmer. Ideas on social justice and green economy have shaped Labour policy.

Question 6

Policy Exchange – Influence?

Answer 6

Yes. Centre-right think tank close to Conservatives. Influential on policing, education, and housing policy. Helped develop “levelling up” and Prevent strategies.

Question 7

New Economics Foundation (NEF) – Influence?

Answer 7

Limited. Advocates for social justice and environmental reform. Strong ideas on universal basic income and green investment, but limited impact on government policy.

Question 8

Adam Smith Institute & Thatcher Government – Influence?

Answer 8

Yes. Strong influence. Promoted free-market policies, privatisation, and deregulation. Margaret Thatcher adopted many of its ideas in the 1980s (e.g. selling council houses, privatising state industries). Helped reshape UK economic policy.