Debating Threats in the UNSC: A New Dataset on Explanations of Votes 1989–2019

Abstract The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the principal international body for addressing threats to international peace and security, empowered by Article 39 of the UN Charter to determine and respond to such threats. Existing research on the argumentation in the UNSC has often focused either on single topics or on the occurrence of topics in resolutions and statements in isolation. However, this approach tends to overlook the nuances of the content and the basis of arguments. This article introduces a new dataset capturing the argumentation of UNSC members on threats and norm violations made in explanations of votes and in UNSC resolutions. The dataset spans the period of 1989–2019, offering insights into the evolving scope of what constitutes threats to international peace and security. Our analysis reveals significant temporal variation in the frequency and nature of threats and norm violations discussed, highlighting increased contestation among Council members since 2015. An application of the dataset demonstrates that wealthier, democratic states prioritize human rights and violence against women, while permanent members, especially the United States and Russia, emphasize terrorism. This dataset can contribute to understanding the dynamics of UNSC deliberations and allows researchers to explore crucial topics such as the level and nature of contestation and the decision-making capacity of international organizations.