Otto-Suhr-Institut
Encyclopedia
The Otto-Suhr-Institut für Politikwissenschaft (Otto Suhr Institute for Political Science, OSI) is one of the most famous institutes
of the Free University of Berlin
and the biggest political-science
institution in Germany
.
The institute is part of the faculty
for political and social sciences. It is named after Otto Suhr
, a former mayor of Berlin (1894–1957, SPD
).
(German Academy for Politics) founded in 1920.
During the German student movement
in the late 1960s, the Otto-Suhr-Institut was reckoned a 'leftist' and later an 'alternative' think tank
, as it employed radical thinkers such as Johannes Agnoli
. However, in present days this reputation is rather legendary than lifelike.
. Since 2001, Thomas Risse
heads the institute's Center for Transnational Relations, Foreign and Security Policy which was founded in 1986 as the Center for Transatlantic Foreign and Security Policy Helga Haftendorn.
Research institute
A research institute is an establishment endowed for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research...
of the Free University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading and most prestigious research universities in Germany and continental Europe. It distinguishes itself through its modern and international character. It is the largest of the four universities in Berlin. Research at the university is focused on the...
and the biggest political-science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
institution in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
The institute is part of the faculty
Faculty (university)
A faculty is a division within a university comprising one subject area, or a number of related subject areas...
for political and social sciences. It is named after Otto Suhr
Otto Suhr
Otto Suhr was a German political figure as a member of the SPD. He served as the mayor of West Berlin between 1955 and 1957....
, a former mayor of Berlin (1894–1957, SPD
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
).
History
The OSI arose in 1959 from the Deutsche Hochschule für PolitikDeutsche Hochschule für Politik
The Deutsche Hochschule für Politik , or German Academy for Politics, was a private academy in Berlin, founded in October 1920. It was integrated into the Faculty for Foreign Studies of the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in 1940, was re-founded in 1948 and turned into the Otto-Suhr-Institut of the...
(German Academy for Politics) founded in 1920.
During the German student movement
German student movement
The German student movement was a protest movement that took place during the late 1960s in West Germany. It was largely a reaction against the perceived authoritarianism and hypocrisy of the German government and other Western governments, and the poor living conditions of students...
in the late 1960s, the Otto-Suhr-Institut was reckoned a 'leftist' and later an 'alternative' think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, as it employed radical thinkers such as Johannes Agnoli
Johannes Agnoli
Johannes Agnoli was a German-Italian Marxist political scientist, though he rejected the label Marxist, preferring instead - somewhat ironically - to call himself an Agnolist....
. However, in present days this reputation is rather legendary than lifelike.
Current activity
The OSI continues to be one of the leading institutions in the field of political science in Germany, focussing on the study of International RelationsInternational relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
. Since 2001, Thomas Risse
Thomas Risse
Thomas Risse is a Berlin based international relations scholar. He currently acts as chair for “transnational relations, foreign- and security policy” at the Otto-Suhr Institute for Political Science at Freie Universität Berlin...
heads the institute's Center for Transnational Relations, Foreign and Security Policy which was founded in 1986 as the Center for Transatlantic Foreign and Security Policy Helga Haftendorn.
International programmes
The institute offers an integrated German-French double-degree Bachelor as well as a double-degree Master programme with French Grande Ecole Sciences Po Paris (formerly also known as Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris) as well as a German-Russian joint Master’s programme in co-operation with the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. It has also successfully developed a Double Degree in Public Policy and Management with the European top-ranking business school, HEC Paris.Notable alumni
- Hermann ScheerHermann ScheerHermann Scheer was a Social Democrat member of the German Bundestag , President of Eurosolar and General Chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy...
, environmentalist - Gesine SchwanGesine SchwanGesine Schwan is a German political science professor and member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. The party has nominated her twice as a candidate for the federal presidential elections. On 23 May 2004, she was defeated by the Christian Democrat and former president Horst Köhler...
, professor of political science - Gabor SteingartGábor SteingartGabor Steingart is a German journalist and author of several popular and influential books. He is currently the chief editor of Handelsblatt, Germany's leading economic newspaper.- Life :...
, journalist - Anne WillAnne WillAnne Will is a television journalist from Germany. She was anchorwoman of the daily Tagesthemen news broadcast on ARD from April 14, 2001, to June 24, 2007.-Biography:...
, TV journalist
External links
- Website of the Otto-Suhr-Institut (English)