American think tank networks and expert debates around the Global Financial Crisis: Keynesian insurgents against austerity defenders

Abstract

This article applies social network analysis and a Bourdieu-inspired understanding of think tanks to a particular historical period, the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2009, when the neoliberal policy consensus was fractured and struggles to replace it by Keynesian policies ensued. The analysis finds that think tank and expert networks have played a key role in mobilising policy ideas, contesting or defending policy discourses. Experts advanced their proposals for policy changes in all those fields of power where they have gained a foothold. However, no consensus has been reached on monetary and fiscal policies, and the policy communities remain divided in these domains.