The institute investigates the interaction between ethnic groups and national states in Africa, and conducts research into new property relations in Eurasia. The research program of the institute will be initially implemented in two research fields, integration and conflict, and property relations. Both fields are connected by a dynamic project structure, with some, at least, of the research projects spanning both fields.
In July 2000 the project group on “Legal Pluralism” was established as supplementary to both research fields. Studies focuses on the emergence and social significance of complex normative systems at small-scale local, national and transnational level.