The Realignment 577 | Steve Teles: Why the Realignment Has Made Think Tanks More Relevant Than Ever
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Oct 7, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Steve Teles, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins and expert on historical institutionalism, dives into the evolving role of think tanks since the 2016 election. He emphasizes the importance of transpartisanship in forming cross-ideological coalitions, especially in an era where traditional political alignments are shifting. Teles contrasts various think tank models, including Niskanen's unique approach that blends research with advocacy. He also articulates why left-leaning think tanks struggle to lead and how these organizations help policymakers navigate complex issues.
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Institutions Are Defined By Their Origins
- Steve Teles says institutions are best understood by how they came into being and adapt over time.
- He joined Niskanen in 2017 to help sustain cross-ideological relationships during political upheaval.
Think Tanks Come In Generational Types
- Teles maps think tanks onto historical waves like RAND and Brookings with differing missions.
- He argues think tanks vary by whether they produce academic-quality research or serve government and party needs.
Hybrid Model: Ideas Plus Government Work
- Niskanen blends high-level ideological synthesis with granular policy work aimed at cross-coalition breakthroughs.
- The model pairs 50,000-foot philosophy with hands-on government-facing operations to unlock strange coalitions.
