(iPoster) Intergovernmental Organizations and International Peace: A Meta-Analysis

• In Event: Poster Session: International Collaboration Section

Abstract

Since the first intergovernmental organization, the International Telegraph Union, was established in 1865, hundreds of intergovernmental organizations have been created to serve a wide range of functions that it is difficult to find a subsidiary topic within the field that does not involve them. The growth and diversity of intergovernmental organizations constitute core puzzles in international relations as they represent ways in which sovereign state actors tie their hands and structure behavior in an anarchic system. Among diverse aspects intergovernmental organizations serve and influence, one of the most widely studied aspects is on their role in promoting peace and mitigating conflict. Existing studies have explored whether and how intergovernmental organizations have helped to reduce wars, foster cooperation, and affect conflict dynamics. The findings, however, often diverge and are even contradictory sometimes. To examine these varying results, I conduct a meta-analysis where the unit of analysis is a statistical estimate of the relation between intergovernmental organization membership and intrastate conflicts. To ensure that the sample is meaningful and statistically comparable, I apply multiple filters to narrow the selection of studies by restricting the sample to journal articles that use quantitative methods and are published in three political science databases: Political Science Complete, ProQuest Political Science, and Peace Research Abstract. Consequently, this research seeks to find whether intergovernmental organizations have more positive or negative influence in mitigating intrastate conflicts and promoting peace.

Author

• Unregistered Participant