Birds of a Feather: Exploring the Phenomenon of Voting Cohesion in the United Nations General Assembly
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Patrick Cottrell
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Political Science
Description
In the world of international politics, how permanent is the democratic majority’s power? Is it possible that an authoritarian voting block exists in the United Nations General Assembly – one that is poised to influence the global status quo?
Through a series of quantitative data analyses, this investigation studies how government type affected voting behavior during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The voting behavior of 42 randomly selected countries – 22 democratic and 20 non-democratic – have been collected and run through the statistical data analyzer SPSS to attempt to offer proof of same-governance voting cohesion in the Assembly. Additionally, this prospective relationship is put to the test by examining how nations vote in regards to legislation supporting the State of Palestine.
Drawing on inspiration from past researchers, this study offers a new and focused look at the seldom-studied area of voting behavior in the United Nations General Assembly. The results of the examination indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between governance types when supporting accords, and additionally when no vote is cast. Additionally, pro-Palestinian sentiments were noted to influence voting behaviors when supporting and not voting on particular pieces of legislation.
Recommended Citation
Brogan, Finley R., "Birds of a Feather: Exploring the Phenomenon of Voting Cohesion in the United Nations General Assembly" (2017). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 65.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2017/all/65
Birds of a Feather: Exploring the Phenomenon of Voting Cohesion in the United Nations General Assembly
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
In the world of international politics, how permanent is the democratic majority’s power? Is it possible that an authoritarian voting block exists in the United Nations General Assembly – one that is poised to influence the global status quo?
Through a series of quantitative data analyses, this investigation studies how government type affected voting behavior during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The voting behavior of 42 randomly selected countries – 22 democratic and 20 non-democratic – have been collected and run through the statistical data analyzer SPSS to attempt to offer proof of same-governance voting cohesion in the Assembly. Additionally, this prospective relationship is put to the test by examining how nations vote in regards to legislation supporting the State of Palestine.
Drawing on inspiration from past researchers, this study offers a new and focused look at the seldom-studied area of voting behavior in the United Nations General Assembly. The results of the examination indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between governance types when supporting accords, and additionally when no vote is cast. Additionally, pro-Palestinian sentiments were noted to influence voting behaviors when supporting and not voting on particular pieces of legislation.
