The Politics of International Peace and Security: Introducing a New Dataset on the Creation of United Nations Security Council Subsidiary Bodies.

This article focuses on the creation, design, and use of subsidiary bodies (SBs) by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from 1972 to 2020, presenting a new dataset that systematically catalogs 203 proposed and 170 created SBs. These SBs, which include committees, commissions, missions, working groups, tribunals, and representatives, serve as key mechanisms for the UNSC to implement decisions on peacekeeping, sanctions, and crisis investigation. Empirical analysis reveals that the likelihood and strength of SB creation are strongly influenced by political alignment among the UNSC's five permanent members (P-5), particularly between the United States and Russia, with higher alignment correlating with more frequent and stronger SBs. The study highlights that while the UNSC's actions are politically constrained, it is more active and adaptable than often portrayed, using SBs to navigate institutional limitations and respond to global challenges. This dataset offers a comprehensive tool for future research on international cooperation, UNSC dynamics, and the effectiveness of various forms of delegated action within international organizations.