Members were elected internationally from among the "distinguished citizens of States possessing colonies or undertaking colonization in their own territory".
It published a yearbook that gave legislative, administrative and political information about the most important colonies, and monographs on particular subjects.
Its purpose was to promote development of moral and political sciences in places where people of different civilizations were in contact.
However, although the institute was well-meaning and idealistic, when discussing the development plans of backward countries its conclusions were very theoretical and of little or no practical use.
The plans can only be successful with the collaboration of the beneficiary populations whose interest and goodwill must be aroused, and whose conceptions and ways of life must also be respected, insofar as they are not in contradiction with the necessities of a modern society; in particular, proletarianization and population displacements which are not essential, will be avoided, and careful attention will be paid to the adaptation of social frameworks to modern production processes, or to progress.