T-NOTATION: A FUNCTIONAL TYPOLOGY OF THINK TANKS

Abstract

Existing typologies of think tanks classify institutions by ideology, thematic focus, or organizational affiliation-but none addresses how think tanks interact with their principals. This note introduces T-Notation, a functional classification system modelled on the B2B/B2C framework, categorizing think tanks by interaction mode: T2G (government), T2B (business), T2I (international organizations), T2M (media), and T2T (think tank-to-think tank). The framework is applied to the SCO think tank ecosystem, where it reveals a structural deficit and suggests a protocol-based alternative-the Think Tank Distributed Ledger (TTDL)-to the secretariat model currently under deliberation.