ABSTRACT
This chapter explores that clubs and think tanks engage in activities that are also found in a number of global associations or even among other organizations in business. The chapter analyzes specific clubs and think tanks. The global clubs bring small and highly selected groups of business people together in their personal capacities. The social function is presented as a hallmark of clubs, where the building and maintaining of networks to exchange experiences between former and current leaders in an informal and confidential setting is central. There is a large population of think tanks, and a subset of them form part of the wider business community. Business-oriented think tanks can today be found in many countries and have several purposes reflecting different traditions. The Open Society Foundations have their origin in business, but their ambitions are much broader, although not unrelated to the business community.
