Beyond public policy mags, other valuable sources of opinion and analyses of current public policy issues are think tanks. Dozens of think tanks in the United States publish books and policy papers and maintain blogs, but surprisingly few publish magazines. Some of those mags are better known than others; all are worth having in libraries for their reasoned, evidence-based discussions of current events and policy choices. And it doesn't hurt that most are affordable.

Media critics often decry lack of depth in news coverage. These journals are an excellent way for libraries to provide patrons with readable, in-depth descriptions of the choices facing our nation. All contain points of view that can and should be debated.

Three think tank magazines represent centrist points of view or, at least, strive to offer a range of ideological perspectives. RAND Review (1998. 3/yr. free. ISSN 1557-2897) summarizes highlights of research conducted by the RAND (“research and development”) Corporation. The 1600-plus-employee organization is historically rooted in analyses of national defense but nowadays considers most of the important policy areas, e.g., health care, education, and government cost controls.

Wilson Quarterly (1976. q. $20. ISSN 0363-3276), the flagship periodical of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, is, deservedly, one of the best-known think tank magazines. Each issue contains an impressive amount of thought-provoking content. A distinct feature is a survey of notable articles from other journals and magazines. The short- and long-form original articles and book reviews cover a wide enough range of topics to offer something of interest for almost everyone.

The centrist organization Resources for the Future informs readers in Resources (1959. q. free. ISSN 0048-7376) of its research on the best uses of Earth's natural resources. Expected coverage of air quality, global climate, land use, and environmental policy is enhanced with articles on less predictable topics, for example, public health aspects of alcohol consumption and methods for controlling pandemics.

Three conservative think tanks publish magazines. Hoover Digest (1996. q. $25. ISSN 1088-5161) is published by the Stanford University–based Hoover Institution and emphasizes private enterprise and limiting the scope of federal government. The magazine addresses a wide range of topics including education, economics, law, national security, values, and social policy. The arguments are usually critical of the Obama administration but written to allow readers to understand the logic behind them.

Claremont Review of Books (2000. q. $19.95. ISSN 1554-0839) was published from 1981 to 1988, went dark, and was revived in 2000. It is produced by the conservative Claremont Institute, whose stated mission is “to restore the principles of the American Founding to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life,” by which they mean limiting the scope and reach of the federal government. Each issue contains letters, a few essays, and a dozen or so book reviews, written in a stridently ideological tone representing the views of Reagan Republicans.

City Journal (1992. q. $23. ISSN 1060-8540) is available from the conservative Manhattan Institute. Its web site features praise from William Bennett, Rudy Giuliani, and George Will. Much of the writing focuses on urban policy, but articles address many issues, making City Journal relevant to national-level policymaking.

Liberal think tanks publish extensively online, but Focus Magazine (1972. bi-m. $15. ISSN 0740-0195) is the lone think tank print magazine representing liberal perspectives. Published by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, its mission is to improve the socioeconomic status of and political participation by African Americans and other minorities. Articles addressing policy issues that affect minority communities cover topics such as educational opportunity, voting rights, health care, and employment.

Of the following four libertarian think tank magazines, the most prominent is Cato Journal (1981. 3/yr. $50. ISSN 0273-3072)—one of many publications from the Cato Institute, which is “based on the principles of limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and peace.” Cato Journal is scholarly, but the writing is accessible to nonspecialists.

The Freeman (1951. 10/yr. $50. ISSN 1559-1638), published by the Foundation for Economic Education, focuses on free market economics and opposition to government subsidies and strongly opposes many of the Obama administration's actions. Recent articles critique the government's bailout of GM and Chrysler, “Cash for Clunkers,” and the Federal Reserve Board's credit policies.

The Independent Review (1996. q. $84.95. ISSN 1086-1653) also argues for free markets, but its tone and coverage are less concerned with criticizing the current administration and more interested in general principles. It has a more global perspective than the other libertarian think tank magazines.

Reason: Free Minds and Free Markets (1968. m. $19.95. ISSN 0048-6906), while often polemical in tenor, features essays that present multiple sides of issues. December 2009 articles on Glenn Beck and Ayn Rand point out why they have followers but also describe arguments from their detractors. The writing style is one of the least scholarly among these magazines.