From Thatcher to the third way

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This book explores the significance of think-tanks and public intellectuals in politics, particularly their role as often-overlooked political agents over the past three decades. It examines how these institutions contribute to governmental projects and the dissemination of ideas, raising questions about their integration into socio-political agendas and their influence on public opinion. The author focuses on two key think-tanks in Great Britain—Demos and the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR)—and their public intellectuals, illustrating their impact on shaping the New Left and the Labour Party's vision in the early 90s. The narrative details how these think-tanks aligned with Tony Blair's ambitions following his rise to power in 1997, their political repositioning, and their ongoing involvement in the intricacies of politics. Through extensive research, including 29 interviews with think-tank members and political advisers, the book offers a dynamic perspective on the "battle of ideas" in post-Cold War Britain. It traces the evolution of thought from the analyses of Thatcherism within the Marxism Today circle to the discussions among the British Left regarding alternative political projects, including the concept of a British Third Way.