Collection Development Policies

The Library has a large collection in the field of international relations and political science. Historically, it has been built up by the library of the Graduate Institute of International Studies (established in 1927) and the library of the Graduate Institute of Development Studies (established in 1961).

It has received many donations over the years, including documents dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Library has a large collection of diplomatic documents from the major world powers.  

Main subjects

• Comparative politics, state-building, failed states
• Relations between religion and politics (Yves Oltramare Chair)
• Political violence in general
• Democracy, civil society, populism, authoritarianism
• International migrations
• Colonialism, decolonisation, racism
• International relations, bilateral and multilateral, global
• International relations and foreign policy theory
• Gender in international relations
• International security, intrastate and interstate conflicts, conflict resolution, post-conflict situations

The former library of the Graduate Institute of International Studies had also built up an extensive collection of books dealing with socialist ideologies and movements, the Soviet Union, and other socialist countries.