Mitch Pearlstein & Dane Smith

Whither the Policy Wonk: Good Public Policy Through the Marketplace of Ideas

Mitch Pearlstein, founder of the Center of the American Experiment, and Dane Smith, president emeritus of Growth & Justice, discuss the value and roles of think tanks in public policy.

An interview in the series: “Restoring Trust in Our Minnesota Institutions”

August 19, 2025

Panelists: Paul Ostrow (moderator), John Cairns, Dana Schroeder, Feven Tesfaye, Ipshita Tiwari

Summary

Mitch Pearlstein and Dane Smith came together to reflect on the fading influence of the “policy wonk” in Minnesota civic life — and what it means for democracy when evidence-based debate is overshadowed by partisanship and soundbites. These close friends from opposite ends of the political spectrum, conservative Pearlstein and liberal Smith share a common concern: the serious, often unglamorous work of policy analysis has been sidelined in an era of political polarization and media fragmentation.

Both argue that ideas still matter, but think tanks and civic institutions must adapt if they are to regain public trust. Pearlstein laments the loss of deep bipartisan exchange that once defined Minnesota politics, while Smith emphasizes the importance of framing policy in terms of equity and shared prosperity. They agree that without trust and credibility, even the best ideas struggle to take root.

Pearlstein and Smith also highlight the role of young people. Student panelists pressed them on how to re-engage in a system that often rewards outrage over substance. Smith encouraged youth to reshape debates with fresh values and perspectives, while Pearlstein cautioned against cynicism, urging them to remain idealistic but practical. Both see civic education and leadership development as essential for rebuilding a culture that values problem-solving over posturing.

Background

Mitch Pearlstein founded the Center of the American Experiment in 1990, establishing it as Minnesota’s leading conservative think tank. He served in both state and federal government, academia, and as a columnist and editorial writer for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He has written widely on education, family structure, and civic life. Dane Smith worked for more than three decades as a political journalist at the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press before becoming president of the Growth & Justice think tank, where he focused on advancing inclusive growth and economic opportunity in Minnesota.

Discussion

What happened to the policy wonk?
Pearlstein and Smith traced the decline of wonkery to the rise of partisanship and the collapse of long-form debate. In Minnesota’s past, think tanks and legislators could spend time hashing out evidence and tradeoffs. Today, they argued, the political environment rewards speed, slogans, and division. Smith pointed to the nationalization of politics as another factor: local problem-solving often gets buried under national partisan battles.

How has media changed the policy landscape?
The pair agreed that traditional media once played a vital role in supporting serious civic discussion. Newspapers provided space for in-depth coverage, and television and radio were more limited in scope. Today’s media ecosystem, by contrast, incentivizes oversimplification and discord. Both men criticized social media for rewarding attention-grabbing content over substance. Pearlstein emphasized the need for citizens to develop media literacy so they can distinguish between genuine policy analysis and political spin.

Do think tanks still matter?
For Pearlstein, think tanks remain vital, but only if they commit to intellectual honesty. He argued that organizations must be willing to publish research that challenges their allies as well as their opponents. Smith agreed that credibility is the key currency, but he stressed that think tanks also have a responsibility to connect policy ideas to values of fairness and equity. Without that moral dimension, he argued, technical solutions can feel detached from public life. Both men warned that if think tanks are reduced to partisan weapons, they will lose the very trust they need to be effective.

What is needed to restore trust?
Pearlstein emphasized cultural foundations: strong families, civic institutions, and communities that value character. Smith focused on coalition-building, urging Minnesotans to bridge divides of race, class, and geography to find common ground. Both highlighted the importance of civic education — not just the mechanics of voting and government, but the habits of listening, questioning, and reasoning that sustain democracy. They argued that a culture of trust must be rebuilt before policy wonks can once again shape outcomes.

How can youth make a difference?
Smith urged young leaders to resist despair and engage actively. He argued that students and early-career professionals can help shift debates toward long-term issues that older generations often avoid. Pearlstein warned that cynicism is corrosive; he urged students to remain hopeful but practical, to understand that compromise is not failure but the essence of democratic governance. Both stressed that youth must see themselves not just as participants, but as custodians of the civic tradition.

Final Thoughts

Pearlstein and Smith do not believe policy wonks are obsolete, but they do believe the role has been diminished. To revive it, Minnesota must rebuild trust in its institutions, strengthen civic education, and encourage a new generation of leaders who are both principled and pragmatic. The hunger for serious ideas still exists, but it must be cultivated through institutions that the public sees as credible and fair. The conversation ended with a reminder that democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires citizens who value factual evidence, leaders who are willing to take risks for the public good, and a civic culture that prizes substance over spectacle.