The Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip)

is an independent, non-profit think-tank. The oiip was the first Institute in Austria to focus on globalization, European integration, comprehensive security, and the comparative study of international affairs. Established in 1978 by the then Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, the Institute has advised on public policy, conducted primary scientific research, supported the international academic exchange and played a key role in hosting international conferences and as a venue for second track-diplomacy. Members of the Institute publish widely, are consulted by the government, and regularly feature in the national media. The Institute maintains a number of publications, and works closely with other national and international research institutions.

The institute has 4 basic areas:

  1. Basic Research to questions of Comprehensive Human Security in International Relations and in Comparative Regional Research (Africa, Asia, Mediterrean and Turkey, Middle East, Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, South Eastern Europe, USA, and Western Europe)
  2. Applied research and scientific policy advice to government 
  3. Publications
  4. Events



  • The oiip represents Austria in a number of international associations, and enjoys bilateral contacts with over three-dozen international research Institutes.
  • The supervisory board reflects the heritage of the oiip and its important role in providing advice on public policy. Past and present board members include national politicians as well as the leading figures of various ministries, public bodies, and important private institutions.

 

Key Research Areas of the oiip

 

The work of the oiip is based on three fields of research. The research area „Global Security Governance“ focuses on the conceptual and epistemological level of international security. The field „Power Transition and Diffusion“ concentrates on the distribution of power and the power diffusion process on various levels. The third research area, „Comparative Foreign & Security Policy Analysis“, analyzes and compares the concrete drafting of policies on a regional, state and sub-state level. The research of the oiip is based on the current debate on International Relations Theories.

 

1. Global Security Governance

At the beginning of the 21st century, the world is going through a far-reaching transformation process. Events and developments have become increasingly interdependent. As a result, the multi-layered, and often new challenges, cannot be solved unilaterally. This leads to a transformation of the international and regional power structure power as numerous state and non-state actors gain in significance. This contains both a discourse on the theoretical approaches as well as the practical political analysis of topics, such as humanitarian intervention, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as cyber-security.

 

 The scope of topics dealt with in this subject are:

  •  International Institutions
  •  Resilience/State building/Peace Building
  • Humanitarian Intervention/Protection of Civilians/Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
  • Disarmament, Nuclear non-proliferation, Arms control
  • Cyber-security/Internet Governance
  • Protection of Critical Infrastructure
  • International Technology Governance

 

2. Power Transition and Diffusion 

The research area „Power Transition and Diffusion“ focuses on the analysis of process-lead shifts of power structures on various global, state and regional levels. On one side this leads to the development of new global players, as well as a diffusion of power to social movements and non-state actors via political reform and transformation processes.

 

 The scope of topics dealt with in this subject are:

  • The Global Role of the USA
  • Emerging Powers
  • Social Movements and Non-State Actors
  • Islamism
  • Political Reform and Transformation Processes
  • Negotiation Processes in Post-Conflict Situations

 

3. Comparative Foreign & Security Policy Analysis

On a methodological level, the area of „Comparative Foreign and Security Policy Analysis“ focuses on the implementation of concepts in the realm of policy making. The analyses of the concrete regional, state and sub-state policies are based on and supported by a comparative approach. 

 

 The scope of topics dealt with in this subject are:

  • Austrian Foreign, Security and Development Policy 
  • Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU
  • Comparative Regional Research
  • Security Concepts
  • Comparative Research on the Causes of Wars and Conflicts
  • Fragile States and Situations