Think Tanks Beyond the West: The Case of the Western Balkans

The emergence of think tanks beyond the West raises the question of how well existing classifications translate to new environments. This article assesses this question in the Western Balkans region, examining how the organisation of local think tanks differs from the Western model. Drawing on an original dataset of 68 organisations, we find that a majority reflect the think tank model outlined in the literature. Yet, while not entirely lost in translation, existing typologies fall short of fully capturing the Western Balkans think tank sector. This includes, inter alia, a substantial share of hybrid organisations that perform functions beyond those normally attributed to think tanks.