Recommended Reference Sources
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Recommended Web Resources
- Stockholm International Peace Research InstituteSIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. It provides data, analysis and recommendations to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.
- Correlates of War (COW)The Correlates of War project is an academic study of the history of warfare. It was started in 1963 at the University of Michigan. Concerned with collecting data about the history of wars and conflict among states, the project has instigated quantitative research into the causes of warfare.
- Freedom House Country ScoresFreedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world. It analyzes challenges to freedom, advocates for greater political rights and civil liberties, and supports frontline activists to defend human rights and promote democratic change.
- World Bank Country DataIncludes such things as "country profile" with data on worldview, people, and environment (to name a few); economic forecasts for each country, a "climate change knowledge portal," ongoing projects of the World Bank Group in each country, country surveys, and more.
- World Bank Governance IndicatorsAggregate and individual governance indicators for 215 countries and territories over the period 1996 - 2014, for six dimensions of governance.
- Fragile States IndexA "fragile state" is one that has experienced the loss of physical control of its territory, an erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions, an inability to provide reasonable public services, and no ability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community. The Fund for Peace is a world leader in developing practical tools and approaches for reducing conflict.
- CIA World FactbookProvides information on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities.
- U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact SheetsThis comprehensive website summarizes the United States' relationships with every country in the world. For example, click on Cuba and read up on U.S. policy toward Cuba, travel and trade restrictions, and many other government reports.
- Country StudiesThe Country Studies Series presents a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world.
- UN iLibraryProvides scholars, students, policy makers, and the general public with a single destination for accessing publications, journals, and data published by the United Nations Secretariat, and its funds and programs.
- Constitute Project: the World's Constitutions193 constitutions, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
- Conflict Data ServiceFrom International Conflict Research Institute. The CDS provides a comprehensive and detailed database on conflicts and conflict-related issues worldwide. Features an online database of peace agreements.
- Treaty ResearchA LibGuide from Boston University Law Libraries. An interesting feature is a "treaty by topic" page that divides treaties up into subject areas, such as terrorism, trade, human rights, environmental, and criminal.
- Federal Election Commission (FEC)This independent regulatory agency discloses campaign finance information, enforces the provisions of the law, and oversees the public funding of Presidential elections.
- Historical Documents (American Memory from the Library of Congress)Includes primary documents in American history, the Federalist Papers, and items from the U.S National Archives & Records Administration.
- Voting AmericaExamines the voting behavior in American elections over 164 years, providing interactive visualizations of election results. Also includes analysis of trends in US elections.
- Vote SmartCovers candidates and elected officials in five categories: biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances, and interest group ratings.
- FactCheck.org (Annenberg Political FactCheck)Monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.
- The American Presidency ProjectAuthoritative, non-partisan online source for presidential public documents