Expanding the Peace Accords Matrix Implementation Dataset: Partial peace agreements in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement negotiation and implementation process, 1989–2021

Abstract

This article presents an expansion of the Peace Accords Matrix Implementation Dataset, incorporating data on partial agreements and newly established Comprehensive Peace Agreements. The new Peace Accords Matrix Implementation Dataset now includes coding for 51 provisions across 42 Comprehensive Peace Agreements and 236 partial peace agreements (with 78% of these negotiated prior to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and 22% negotiated during the 10-year Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation process). This expanded dataset offers nuanced insights into the negotiation and implementation processes of Comprehensive Peace Agreements, the types of provisions negotiated within partial agreements, those later incorporated into Comprehensive Peace Agreements, and those renegotiated throughout the Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation period. The article details the methodology and criteria employed for integrating partial agreements into the Peace Accords Matrix Implementation Dataset, provides descriptive statistics on the provisions within these agreements, and examines the implementation trajectories of pre-Comprehensive Peace Agreement partial agreements and Comprehensive Peace Agreements for up to 10 years. Additionally, it examines the interrelatedness among partial agreements, Comprehensive Peace Agreements, and Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation processes. One of the key applications of the partial peace agreement data presented is the empirical testing of the gradualism proposition in trust-building. The findings indicate that Comprehensive Peace Agreements exhibit a higher overall implementation rate when a greater number of partial agreements are negotiated beforehand. However, this is conditional and influenced by the duration of the negotiation process. The article concludes with a discussion of the challenges and limitations encountered, along with suggestions for future research on civil war peace agreements.