Los think tanks y su relevancia en Chile. Aproximación histórica, caracterización del campo y discusión actual

The primary objective of this article is to undertake a historical and structural analysis of the social and institutional landscape occupied by think tanks in Chile. The exploration of this case facilitates an examination of how these institutions have acquired influence in shaping alliances, fostering debates, and navigating disagreements among intellectual and social factions, persisting throughout the current national political cycle. The study employed a qualitative methodological approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews in conjunction with a systematic review of secondary sources, including press articles and materials generated by think tanks. In terms of findings, a historical overview is presented, spanning from the mid-twentieth century to the present day, which identifies four generations of these establishments within the country. It is inferred that the realm of think tanks functions in a supplementary manner to the political domain, having experienced a certain degree of autonomy during its historical evolution. However, this development has been influenced by their interaction with political parties and the financing mechanisms they have adopted.