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UN Interventions: The Role of Geography

Author

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  • Duque, Juan Carlos

    (Universidad EAFIT)

  • Jetter, Michael

    (University of Western Australia)

  • Sosa, Santiago

    (Universidad EAFIT)

Abstract

This paper argues that UN military interventions are geographically biased. For every 1,000 kilometers of distance from the three Western permanent UNSC members (France, UK, US), the probability of a UN military intervention decreases by 4 percent. We are able to rule out several alternative explanations for the distance finding, such as differences by continent, colonial origin, bilateral trade relationships, foreign aid flows, political regime forms, or the characteristics of the Cold War. We do not observe this geographical bias for non-military interventions and find evidence that practical considerations could be important factors for UNSC decisions to intervene militarily.

Suggested Citation

  • Duque, Juan Carlos & Jetter, Michael & Sosa, Santiago, 2014. "UN Interventions: The Role of Geography," IZA Discussion Papers 8052, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8052
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    Cited by:

    1. Jetter, Michael, 2014. "Terrorism and the Media," IZA Discussion Papers 8497, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international organizations; conflict resolution; United Nations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • F52 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - National Security; Economic Nationalism
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
    • N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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