Token Forces
How Tiny Troop Deployments Became Ubiquitous in UN Peacekeeping
Published on 7. December 2022
978-1-009-05891-9 (ISBN)
Description
Token forces - tiny national troop contributions in much larger coalitions - have become ubiquitous in UN peacekeeping. This Element examines how and why this contribution type has become the most common form of participation in UN peace operations despite its limited relevance for missions' operational success. It conceptualizes token forces as a path-dependent unintended consequence of the norm of multilateralism in international uses of military force. The norm extends states' participation options by giving coalition builders an incentive to accept token forces; UN-specific types of token forces emerged as states learned about this option and secretariat officials adapted to state demand for it. The Element documents the growing incidence of token forces in UN peacekeeping, identifies the factors disposing states to contribute token forces, and discusses how UN officials channel token participation. The Element contributes to the literatures on UN peacekeeping, military coalitions, and the impacts of norms in international organizations.
Reviews / Votes
'... an essential read for everyone who wants to understand why states have an interest in participating in peace operations with a tiny military deployment and why the UN welcomes such token contributions even though they might affect the effectiveness of the mission.' Martin Welz, International Peacekeeping 'This short book is an essential read for everyone who wants to understand why states have an interest in participating in peace operations with a tiny military deployment and why the UN welcomes such token contributions even though they might affect the effectiveness of the mission.' Martin Welz, International PeacekeepingMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
File size
1,95 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-009-05891-9 (9781009058919)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Katharina P. Coleman | Xiaojun Li
Token Forces
How Tiny Troop Deployments Became Ubiquitous in UN Peacekeeping
Book
12/2022
Cambridge University Press
€24.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Content
1. The significance of token forces; 2. The ubiquity of token forces in UN peace operations; 3. The diffusion of token participation among UN troop contributors; 4. Token forces from the UN's perspective; 5. Conclusion; Abbreviations.
