The known knowns and known unknowns of peacekeeping data

Recent literature on peacekeepingrecognizes the importance of local conditions as determinants of the ‘space for peace’ and, at the same time, treats ‘bottom-up’ peacekeepingas a central criterion for its effectiveness. Accordingly, we have collected event data to analyze the impact of peacekeepingat a highly disaggregate, or local/subnational, level. Peacekeepingevents are defined as data points where peacekeepersare either actors or targets of an action at a specific location and time point. Ideally time and place are recorded at the highest precision – indicating exact longitude and latitude as well as exact time of day – but often such precision remains elusive. Regardless, peacekeepingevent data help to identify where peacekeepersare deployed, what they do, with whom they interact, as well as the quality of the interaction.