Abstract
The Australian think tank is predominantly a neoliberal think tank so how does this influence the distribution of power? Historically, neoliberal think tanks have had larger numbers that have enabled them to fund, fight, and win the war of ideas. Questions to be asked are—does this numeric dominance mean that these neoliberal permanent persuaders can now absolutely influence the common-sense notions that Australians hold about politics, the family, work, education, and the role of the state? And who have been the beneficiaries of this shift of ideology? This chapter argues, with supportive evidence, that in Australia think tanks and lobby groups have pushed neoliberalism because these ideas benefit ruling-class interests, and in turn ruling-class interests keep them funded—it is all cyclical.
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Murray, G. (2017). The Australian Think Tank: A Key Site in a Global Distribution of Power?. In: Salas-Porras, A., Murray, G. (eds) Think Tanks and Global Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-56756-7_3
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