Variation in UN Peacekeeping Operation Effectiveness By Base Type

• In Event: Peacekeeping Effectiveness

Abstract

Do United Nations peacekeepers protect civilians, and through what mechanisms? Does the type of peacekeeper base matter in the protection of civilians, and, if so, in what locations? There are many types of subnational peacekeeper deployments, which implement varying parts of a mission’s mandate, signal distinct information to combatants, and house different types of peacekeepers. Despite the variation that exists between base types, there is little empirical or theoretical work exploring how that variation might lead to differences in peacekeeper effectiveness. This paper contributes to the peacekeeping literature by exploring the effects of different base types on the protection of civilians by peacekeepers. This paper first presents a theory of why and how different types of bases may lead to variation in peacekeepers’ ability to protect civilians from one-sided violence. From there, it develops predictions regarding the ability of peacekeepers to protect civilians from government violence as compared to rebel violence. These predictions are then empirically tested with novel data on temporary operating base locations and compared to original data on company operating base locations and headquarters locations in all African civil conflicts hosting a United Nations peacekeeping operation from 2000-2015.

Author

• Danielle Villa, Emory University