Most think tanks describe themselves as independent institutions and usually deny any influence on their work from funding sources or other interests. Although some think tanks adhere to the concept of independent research, in several cases, albeit very often not visible at first sight, the influence of corporate money on the kind of issues picked up as well as the results presented can be noted. Corporate money so funds ideologically charged policy research with the aim to influence public policy making.
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The World Bank as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) originated during World War II in preparation for postwar international financial and economic cooperation. Initiated by the United States and Great Britain. The principal functions of the World Bank are to assist in the reconstruction and development of its member countries by facilitating capital investment for productive purposes, to promote private foreign investment by guarantees of and participation in loans and other investments made by private investors, and to make loans for productive purposes out of its own resources or funds borrowed by it when private capital is not available on reasonable terms.
The Independent Institute officially is a "non-politicized, non-partisan, scholarly, public policy research organization" that sponsors studies of social and economic issues. The resulting studies are widely distributed as books and other publications, and are debated in the Institutes conferences and media programs. Areas of research are: Economic issues, social issues, environment and natural resources, industry policy, health and welfare.
RAND (an acronym for research and development) is a non-profit institution that tries to "improve public policy through research and analysis". RAND was created at the urging of its original sponsor, the Air Force (then the Army Air Forces) and employs more than 500 people. Most work in RAND's Santa Monica, California headquarters, others are based in Washington, D.C. Some operate from RAND's Council for Aid to Education in New York City and from RAND Europe in Delft, the Netherlands. Areas of research are: Foreign relations and diplomacy, security and defense, economic issues, regional studies, social issues, health and welfare, education, labor and human resource development, science and technology.