ljd.RmdMost existing datasets on international agreements classify each agreement by their type. gnevar classifies agreements by their type on three dimensions:
We treat them below separately.
The main codes for international agreement’s membership by design are for unilateral (U), bilateral (B), and multilateral (M). However, in some domains international agreements between multilaterals (I) or between multilaterals and third countries (H) are possible. Lastly, in some domains we also have information about agreements between actors at a lower level than the state as a whole. We have coded these ministerial (N). The M code currently acts as a residual category.
In gnevar, agreements are coded as having one of three different levels of scope or jurisdiction: agreements that state that they are global or universal (G), those that apply to a broader region (R), and those that only apply to two parties or even a particular border area (Z).
| Codes | Keywords |
|---|---|
| G | global |
| R | region |
| Z | between, border, bilateral |
An additional O code acts as a residual category.
There are two main divisions for the type of document there is. First, there are those that make or can make binding rules. Because many binding international agreements are framework-protocol rather than packages, we separate binding agreements into framework conventions or main agreements, additional protocols, and amendments to either the protocol or the main agreement.
| Codes | Keywords |
|---|---|
| A | agreement, arrangement, accord, acuerdo, bilateral co, technical co, treat, trait, tratado, convention, convencion, convenio, constitution, charte, instrument, statute, estatuto, provisional understanding, provisions relating, übereinkunft, Act, Declaration, Covenant, Scheme, Government Of, Law |
| P | protocol, additional, subsidiary, supplementary, complémentaire, complementar, complementario |
| E | amend, modify, extend, proces-verbal |
Note that these APE codes are the basis for lineage/sequence codes (link to be added).
Second, there are those that are not usually binding, but are nonetheless agreements researchers may be interested in. Coverage of non-binding agreements differs across gnevar datasets. We currently code six different types of non-binding document.
| Codes | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Q | Minute, Adjustment, First Session Of, First Meeting Of, Commission, Committee, Center |
| S | Strategy, Plan, Program, Improvement, Project, Study, Working Party, Working Group |
| V | Statement, Communiq, Comminiq, Joint Declaration, Proclamation, Administrative Order |
| X | Exchange, Letters, Notas |
| W | Agreed Measures, Agreed Record, Consensus, Conclusions, Decision, Directive, Regulation, Reglamento, Resolution, Rules, Recommendation |
| Y | Memorandum, Memorándum, Principles of Conduct, Code of Conduct |
The S code is currently the residual category.