The role of think tanks in public policy process in Turkey with reference to advocacy coalition framework

In the age of industrialization, states are obliged to make policies in scientific methods. As a result of this situation, public policy discipline emerged in social sciences. Firstly emerging in Anglo-Saxon countries just after of the birth of public policy discipline and then spreading around the globe, think tanks are organizations that provides consultancy services to public agencies in the field of public policy. As a consequence of criticism of mainstream public policy theories that perceive public policy as rational decision-making process, interpretive policy theories had a rise in the field. The main argument of interpretive policy analysis is that actors in the process make decisions in the light of their perceptions and mental world. One of the interpretive approaches is Advocacy Coalition Framework in which beliefs and perceptions are handled as variables in public policy process. Think tanks also evolved into a structure that practically confirming the interpretive policy analysis by making analysis in an advocative manner unlike their pioneers who pretend to making neutral analysis. Although think tanks emerged at a relatively late date in Turkey, they increased in numbers after Turkey accelerated the process of EU membership. By taking into consideration of academic works that examined these organizations in Turkey, they are handled according to the model of Advocacy Coalition Framework in the policy process of Turkey's EU membership in this study. In accordance with this purpose, the sample of this study, which includes İKV, DPE, TEPAV, TESEV, SETA and 21. Yüzyıl Türkiye Enstitüsü, is determined according to Advocacy Coalition Framework. As a result of content analysis of studies and work sheets of these think tanks, it is supposed that İKV is principal coalition member, TESEV and TEPAV are auxiliary coalition members, SETA is potential coalition member in the coalition of EU supporters, whereas 21. Yüzyıl Türkiye Enstitüsü is potential coalition member in the coalition of EU sceptics. Keywords: Public Policy, Interpretive Approaches, Advocacy Coalition Framework, Think Tanks, EU Membership