The operation of Russian “think tanks” in an information society

An information society sets new vectors for the development of all socio-political and socio-economic institutions. The efficiency and professionalism with which these institutions implement communication technologies into their practices and adapt to challenges of the modern world determine its potential and further development. This article examines the operation of such a socio-political institution as a “think tank”, given conditions of the internet’s ever growing importance and the expansion of social media. Traditionally “think tanks”, or “analytical centers”, are considered by political experts and specialists in international affairs to be components of political systems, however, the expansion and development of such organizations all around the world, together with their increasing functional capacity, leads to the need for interpreting the place and role in society of such think tanks from a sociological standpoint. This article examines them as a socio-political institution, which simultaneously generates and conveys information which is of importance to both the government and society. The main function of such an institution is designated as “communicative”, which encompasses the social potential of think tanks as a crucial component to developing social awareness and democracy. In order to evaluate the operation of Russia’s analytical centers, the author refers to the “Global Go To Think Tank Index” global ranking. Russian analytical centers are generally held in high regard by foreign experts, despite them possessing a few peculiar traits. Most of these Russian think tanks are affiliated with branches of the government, or exist within scientific institutions under the Russian Academy of Sciences or certain higher educational facilities, while being funded by the government. Their scope of research-analytical activity primarily includes issues such as foreign policy, international affairs, and global economy. As for sociological analysis of the processes occurring within society, only fragments of the former are present in the agenda of Russian think tanks. Analytical centers have an inconsequential presence in media space. They barely use modern communication technologies, which affects the isolation of the expert community from society.