Extra-territorial interventions in conflict spaces: Explaining the geographies of post-Cold War peacekeeping

Abstract

The period since the end of the Cold War has presided over a dramatic expansion in the number of multilateral peacekeeping operations (PKOs). Yet individual states have varied significantly in their enthusiasm for peacekeeping and, moreover, demonstrated a greater propensity to participate in operations located in certain countries than others. Our contribution in the present paper is to provide new insights into how geography underpins these spatial variations. Uniquely, we make use of a geographically disaggregated dataset of multilateral PKOs, which allows us to capture various dyadic linkages between sending and receiving countries. Our results confirm previous work indicating that more democratic countries are more likely to participate in PKOs, but extend these findings by showing that countries' commitment to human rights has a similar positive influence. We also show that aspects of spatial proximity (physical distance, same region) and relational proximity (colonial ties) between potential sending and receiving states raise the likelihood of participation. Yet we find that two relational variables widely discussed in the literature as possible correlates of peaceful interactions -bilateral trade and joint membership of intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) -have no statistically discernable influence on countries involvement in particular PKOs.

Standing alongside your friends

“…The motives of democratic countries to provide peacekeepers have received most attention (Perkins & Neumayer, 2008). Lebovic (2004) finds that democratic countries contribute more troops to UN missions.…”

UN interventions: The role of geography

“…Some literature has examined third-party interventions in general terms, finding the behavior of other potential intervening countries to matter (Aydin, 2010) along with ideological linkage and geographical proximity (Mullenbach, 2005). Perkins and Neumayer (2008) find that a country's decision to participate in peacekeeping operations can be influenced by its geographical proximity to the conflict nation. However, while geographical proximity may present a justifiable reason for intervention decisions by single countries (or countries participating in an intervention authorized by regional organizations), in theory it should not enter UNSC decisions.…”

“…Geographical proximity has been discussed as a determinant for foreign military intervention, both in general (Pearson, 1974, Perkins andNeumayer, 2008) and in the context of the US (Mullenbach and Matthews, 2008). Neack (1995) has hinted that states might participate in UN interventions predominantly for selfish reasons.…”

“…Although our primary analysis incorporates overall trade openness, the specific trade relationship with the five permanent members could be of particular importance, leading us to include bilateral trade flows. 7 Previously, Stojek and Tir (2011) suggested that the economic interests of major powers play a decisive role in UN peacekeeping decisions, although Perkins and Neumayer (2008) finds no importance for the participation of individual nations in international peacekeeping operations. From an individual country's perspective, it would be understandable if the inclination to promote an intervention was stronger for countries with which it maintains strong trade relationships.…”

The ties that bind: the role of migrants in the uneven geography of international telephone traffic

“…Kapur and McHale 2009;Perkins and Neumayer 2008). Constructed mainly from national censuses, the dataset records the stock of migrants in a particular destination country j from a particular territory of origin i, for a total of 226 states.…”