Sticking it out: Instability, regime type, and personnel withdrawals from UN peacekeeping operations

Melin, Molly M.; Kathman, Jacob D.

doi:10.1177/07388942221147862

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 99 publications

(186 reference statements)

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“…Further given the risk-averse nature of democracies, they should withdraw most quickly. However, recent work by Melin and Kathman (N.d.) shows that democratic TCCs tend to be more recalcitrant in the face of instability and violence, compared to their non-democratic counterparts. This is due largely to the political cover provided by the UN helmet, and to democratic TCCs’ strong interest in democratic institution-building.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Election Accomplished: Democracies and the Timing of Peacekeeper Drawdowns

Giray

Chatagnier

2023

Political Research Quarterly

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Peacekeepers play a vital role in enforcing agreements and promoting stability after a civil war, but participation is costly. While troop-contributing countries may appreciate the material and diplomatic benefits that come with performing this task, they also want to minimize the associated costs and potential downsides of the mission. We examine troop contributions in post-civil war peacekeeping missions, determining which countries are most prone to withdrawal and when. Drawing from a domestic audience cost perspective, we argue that those countries that are most exposed to political risk from scandals or fiascoes are most apt to flee, viewing post-war elections as identifiable exit points. Using data on more than 50 peacekeeping operations between 1996 and 2017, we analyze troop contribution dynamics for over 155 different countries to determine whether and when post-war elections prompt peacekeepers to exit. We find evidence that democratic states are more likely either to withdraw completely from UN missions or to reduce their contributions by removing peacekeepers from the front lines in the wake of host country elections.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Election Accomplished: Democracies and the Timing of Peacekeeper Drawdowns

Giray

Chatagnier

2023

Political Research Quarterly

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Reliable Contributors? Leadership Turnover, Regime Type, and Commitments to Peacekeeping

Oestman,

Passmore

2023

Foreign Policy Analysis

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While studies have investigated why states contribute personnel to peacekeeping operations, little consideration has been given to how domestic political factors influence state contributions. We argue that changes in executive power that involve a shift in the domestic source of leadership support cause fluctuations in troop deployments, leading to inconsistent contribution behavior. However, we argue that this effect is attenuated in more democratic states since greater overlaps in the preferences of domestic groups are present and political institutions exist to constrain major policy shifts. Analysis of state troop commitments to UN peacekeeping from 1991 to 2018 supports this argument. This research highlights the often overlooked role of domestic policy processes in peacekeeping contributions while moving beyond considering why some states contribute relatively more personnel to address variation within countries. The findings indicate that while democracies typically contribute fewer peacekeepers, they tend to be more consistent contributors in the face of leadership turnover.

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Sticking it out: Instability, regime type, and personnel withdrawals from UN peacekeeping operations

Cited by 2 publications

References 99 publications

Election Accomplished: Democracies and the Timing of Peacekeeper Drawdowns

Election Accomplished: Democracies and the Timing of Peacekeeper Drawdowns

Reliable Contributors? Leadership Turnover, Regime Type, and Commitments to Peacekeeping

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