Introducing the Peacekeeping Mandates (PEMA) Dataset

Abstract

Research on UN peacekeeping operations has established that operations' size and composition affect peacekeeping success. However, we lack systematic data for evaluating whether variation in tasks assigned to UN peacekeeping mandates matters and what explains different configurations of mandated tasks in the first place. Drawing on UN Security Council resolutions that establish, extend, or revise mandates of 27 UN peacekeeping operations in Africa in the 1991–2017 period, the Peacekeeping Mandates (PEMA) dataset fills this gap. It records 41 distinct tasks, ranging from disarmament to reconciliation and electoral support. For each task, the PEMA dataset also distinguishes between three modalities of engagement (monitoring, assisting, and securing) and whether the task is requested or merely encouraged. To illustrate the usefulness of our data, we re-examine Hultman, Kathman, and Shannon’s (2013) analysis of operations’ ability to protect civilians. Our results show that host governments and rebel groups respond differently to civilian protection mandates.

When Do UN Peacekeeping Operations Implement Their Mandates?

“…We combine two new data sets for our analyses: the Peacekeeping Mandates (PEMA) data set (Di Salvatore et al. 2020) and the Peacekeeping Activities (PACT) data set. PEMA includes information on 39 different tasks that PKOs were mandated to pursue from 1998 to 2016.…”

UN Peacekeeping and Democratization in Conflict-Affected Countries

“…Mandates are especially important for ensuring a credible commitment to democracy among the parties to the conflict and other stakeholders. Democracy promotion mandates signal the UN's intention to devote sustained time and resources to democratization, and the international community's intention to support the UN's efforts (Di Salvatore et al, 2022). In this way, mandates create a shared expectation of an eventual democratic order in the host country (Metternich, 2011, 910).…”

“…To test hypothesis 1, we code an indicator for UN missions with democracy promotion mandates using our original Peacekeeping Mandates (PEMA) dataset (Di Salvatore et al, 2022). PEMA draws on resolutions establishing, extending, modifying, or overhauling the mandates of all UN missions in Africa from 1991 to 2016, and includes information on 41 tasks that these missions have been mandated to perform.…”

Token Forces

“…In highlighting token contributions as a distinctive and frequently chosen alternative to both substantial deployments and nonparticipation in a UN mission, we add nuance to theories of TCC motivations for contributing peacekeepers and highlight a neglected dimension of UN force generation and composition. Our original UNTFD allows for further investigation of patterns of tokenism by particular states or in particular missions, including as mandated tasks change (Di Salvatore et al, 2022). The UNTFD also provides a foundation for studying the further evolution of tokenismor particular forms of tokenism, such as military observer contributionsthrough the current contraction and possible reinvention of UN peacekeeping (Coleman, 2020a;Coleman & Job, 2021;Coleman & Williams, 2021).…”