The Competition of Ideas: The World of the Washington Think Tanks

In this review of The Competition of Ideas, Murray Weidenbaum offers an insider's look at the major Washington think tanks and the political economy that shapes them. Written by someone who has worked with the American Enterprise Institute, Brookings, the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation and CSIS, this book is for readers who want a thoughtful, experience-based account of how think tanks influence public policy. The single biggest reason to pick up this volume is Weidenbaum's firsthand perspective, which balances admiration for accomplishments with a candid view of institutional shortcomings.

Key Features

• Insider perspective: Draws on decades of direct involvement with leading institutions to explain how think tanks operate and influence policy outcomes.
• Comparative analysis: Compares a range of organizations so readers can understand differences in mission, funding, and impact across the Washington landscape.
• Balanced critique: Identifies both accomplishments and shortcomings, giving a nuanced picture rather than an uncritical endorsement.
• Policy focus: Emphasizes the political economy of think tanks so readers interested in governance and policy can see practical effects.
• Survey of institutions: Covers major centers such as AEI, Brookings, CSIS, Cato, and Heritage, making it a compact guide to prominent players.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to students of political economy, policy professionals, journalists, and informed readers who want context and practitioner insight into how research organizations shape debate in Washington. The narrative works well for those who appreciate a measured, experience-based account rather than polemic.

Readers seeking a comprehensive academic history with extensive citations or a how-to guide for running a think tank may want to supplement this book with more technical or methodological texts, as Weidenbaum's strength is commentary drawn from participation and observation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Authoritative first-person observations give readers credible, concrete examples of think tank activity.
• Balanced tone presents both successes and flaws, avoiding simple advocacy.
• Coverage of multiple organizations provides useful comparative perspective for policy-minded readers.

Cons

• Not a technical manual; readers wanting exhaustive sourcing or methodological detail may find it light on footnotes.

Specifications

Author	Murray Weidenbaum
Subject	Think tanks and political economy
Institutions discussed	AEI, Brookings Institution, CSIS, Cato Institute, Heritage Foundation
Perspective	Visiting scholar and participant-observer
Approach	Comparative, experience-based analysis
Tone	Balanced critique

Our Verdict

The Competition of Ideas is a valuable, readable account for anyone curious about how Washington's think tanks function and influence policy. Weidenbaum's direct experience and even-handed critique make it a good value for students and practitioners who want an informed, accessible guide rather than a dense academic treatise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover specific think tanks?
The book discusses major institutions such as AEI, Brookings, CSIS, the Cato Institute, and the Heritage Foundation based on the author's involvement.

Is the tone partisan?
Weidenbaum aims for a balanced critique, noting both accomplishments and shortcomings rather than offering partisan advocacy.

Will this teach how to run a think tank?
It offers practitioner insights about operations and influence but is not a step-by-step manual on running an organization.