International Security

Research depart­ment I studies the classic field of inter­national security policy: States seek security, their own, that of their citizens, and of political, economic, and environ­mental relation­ships. How states pursue this goal is crucial for the main­tenance of peace and the risk of violent conflict. The depart­ment’s empirical work focuses on those practices and strategies of states that are associated with military violence or that seek to prevent or limit its application. Highest priority is given to the latest develop­ments and dynamics in warfare, the trans­formation of norms and rules regarding the legitimate use of force, and arms control. Besides conducting basic theoretical research, research depart­ment I has a long-standing expertise in policy consultation and an ongoing interest in the policy issues of arms control, dis­arma­ment and the non-pro­liferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Within the new research program Coercion and Peace (2018), research depart­ment I examines how techno­lo­gical, political, and normative change influences states’ abilities to use coercion and how that impacts national and inter­national security and global peace. Research in this context covers three areas: (1) security policy and world order, (2) military strategy and the use of force, and (3) arms control and technology. Coercion is addressed in its military and non-military dimen­sions.

In context of the previous research program Just Peace Governance (2011-2017), research focused on the rele­vance of justice conflicts in states’ foreign and security policy. Research depart­ment I examined the role of justice in hege­monic conflicts and how justice-related arguments make negotiating arms control and dis­arma­ment more difficult.