For my small-n research question, I am asking what explains the legal implications of state recognition for those who are not internationally recognized. Using the constitutive theory, I plan on looking at the shift in criteria for needing recognition to be considered a state in the international system. My dependent variable would be the number of states that recognize a state that is unrecognized (ex. Kosovo, Taiwan). The issue with using these types of states is that there is not too much information from databases that will usually include these states when conducting their research. I want to use a source such as the Fragile States index, but they do not research Kosovo or Taiwan.[1] That is why I am planning to use the Fragile States Index but will have to use their indicators but composite my score for their indicators. This will take extra time as some of their sources for indicators may not have statistics on the cases that I think are the best fit for my research. These cases would be most likely as they represent some of the most influential and most prominently known ideas of states that do not have full recognition from other states internationally.[2]
My dependent variable focuses on looking at the amount of recognition a state has from others and from there looking at its relative stability and performance. Going into this dependent variable, the information I find can sometimes vary on things like who formally recognizes a state and who does not. As of recently especially in cases of Taiwan where there have been cases of checkbook diplomacy some states will rescind recognition of states and databases may not capture that. I am planning on trying to do a deep dive into finding accurate sources that show what states recognize Kosovo or Taiwan.[3] Most research that I have found on Kosovo analyzed the aspects of it being partially unrecognized but do not examine the specific relationship of if elements of the economy increase with more diplomatic ties from recognition.
[1] “Fragile States Index | The Fund for Peace.” n.d. Accessed October 29, 2018. http://fundforpeace.org/fsi/
[2] “When Good Fences Make Bad Neighbors Fixed Borders, State Weakness, and International Conflict on JSTOR.” n.d. Accessed October 29, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4137510?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
[3] [3]“When Good Fences Make Bad Neighbors Fixed Borders, State Weakness, and International Conflict on JSTOR.” n.d. Accessed October 29, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4137510?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents.