A second form of scholarly explanation, favored in the field of International Political Economy, uses the language of capture. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum use this category to criticize the current global IP regime. Here special interests, usually the wealthiest sectors of society—but also specific industry interest groups, nations, or even individuals such as Charles and David Koch—capture policy through proactive lobbying efforts. The think tank is part of the story but in a supplemental role. Against the political power of economic ideas, this could be called the political power of economic power.

Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, loc. 203