The postwar world order brought about normative and institutional dynamics which could not be dealt with adequately using existing political means. Consequently, within the context of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), new kinds of institutions were created and replaced the Bretton Woods institutions whose primary purpose had been to manage economic interdependence. These new institutions arguably have had a more significant impact than did their predecessors on European national societies. In terms of the OECD’s relationship to the outside world, the principles of intergovernmental monopoly on the use of force and non-intervention have been weakened in favor of human rights and in support of the so-called war on terror. Against this backdrop, our research program will be guided by the following broad theses: (1) The world-societal and normative dynamics precipitated by the postwar world order have led to a transformation of the present order and to processes of political trans- and supra-nationalization within the OECD, as well as between the OECD and the outside world. (2) In turn, trans- and supra-nationalization have resulted in an unfamiliar politicization of the international sphere by societal actors on the world stage. (3) As a result of this newly politically charged international atmosphere, conflicts have developed between the world of nation-states and the world of societies. These disputes have the potential to manifest themselves in opposition to political as well as societal denationalization.

The research unit, “Transnational Conflicts and International Institutions” (TKI) examines the legalization of international institutions, the transnationalization of international regulation with regard to the Internet, questions concerning the legitimacy of military intervention, and the foundations and impacts of transnational movements. Research activities are guided by the question of how European politics and policy respond to global challenges in the areas of economy, ecology, human rights, and security.