# Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut der Bundeswehr
**Wikidata**: [Q2306049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2306049)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sozialwissenschaftliches-institut-der-bundeswehr

## Summary
Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut der Bundeswehr (SOWI, SWInstBw) was the German Armed Forces' central social science research institute, established in 1974. It operated within the Joint Support and Enabling Service and focused on social science methodology research before being dissolved at the end of 2012.

## Key Facts
- Founded: 1974
- Dissolved: 2012-12-31
- Headquarters: Munich, Germany (from 1995 onwards)
- Part of: Joint Support and Enabling Service
- Parent Organization: Armed Forces Office
- Instance Of: research institute, federal agency of Germany, military installation
- Replaced By: German Armed Forces Military History Research Office
- Key Fields: public research and development in Germany, social science methodology
- Notable Directors: Ernst-Christoph Meier (2006-2012), Bernhard Fleckenstein (1984-1997), Heinrich Geppert (1997-1998)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut der Bundeswehr?
A: It was the German military's dedicated social science research institute, focusing on social science methodology and public research and development relevant to the Bundeswehr.

### Q: When and why was the institute dissolved?
A: The institute was dissolved on 2012-12-31. It was officially replaced by the German Armed Forces Military History Research Office.

### Q: What was the institute's organizational structure?
A: It was part of the Joint Support and Enabling Service and operated under the parent organization of the Armed Forces Office.

## Why It Matters
Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut der Bundeswehr was significant as the sole entity within the German military dedicated to social science research. It provided crucial analysis and understanding of social dynamics, personnel issues, and societal trends affecting the Bundeswehr. Its dissolution in 2012 marked a major shift, redirecting focus towards historical military research through its successor, the German Armed Forces Military History Research Office. This transition reflected a strategic change in the Bundeswehr's research priorities, moving from contemporary social analysis towards historical reflection and institutional memory.

## Notable For
- Being the central, dedicated social science research institute for the entire German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).
- Operating continuously for 38 years (1974-2012) under various leaderships.
- Its unique position within the military structure as both a research institute and a federal agency.
- Serving as the predecessor to the German Armed Forces Military History Research Office.

## Body
### History and Establishment
- Founded in 1974.
- Initially led by Thomas Ellwein in 1974, followed by Ralf Zoll (1974-1983).
- Leadership succession included Bernhard Fleckenstein (1984-1997), Heinrich Geppert (1997-1998), Klaus Lohmann (1998-2001), Rainer Senger (2001-2002), Jörn Thießen (2002-2005), and Ernst-Christoph Meier (2006-2012).

### Organizational Structure
- Parent Organization: Armed Forces Office.
- Part Of: Joint Support and Enabling Service (Stützpunkt- und Dienstleistungsbereich der Bundeswehr).
- Instance Of: Research institute, federal agency of Germany, military installation.
- Member Of: Working Group of the German Federal Departmental Research Establishments.

### Location
- Headquarters: Munich, Germany, from 1995 onwards.

### Research Focus
- Fields: Public research and development in Germany, Social science methodology.
- Primary function was social science research relevant to the Bundeswehr.

### Dissolution
- Dissolved/Abolished Date: 2012-12-31.
- Replaced By: German Armed Forces Military History Research Office (Zentrum für Militärgeschichte und Sozialwissenschaften der Bundeswehr).

### Identifiers
- ISNI: 000000012178253X
- GND ID: 2162923-7
- VIAF ID: 267081483
- IDREF ID: 110919904
- FRAGDENSTAAT PUBLIC BODY ID: 831
- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITY ID: n50071267
- UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA AUTHORITY ID: 981058509162306706
- NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ISRAEL J9U ID: 987007341528305171
- GOOGLE KNOWLEDGE GRAPH ID: /g/121v70jt
- YALE LUX ID: group/dde7d711-9472-4327-ba33-647af2058c21
- Common Logo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/SWInstBw.png
- Aliases: SOWI, SWInstBw
- Site Link Count: 1 (Wikipedia DE)

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File