Representing Self-Determination Claims in Space: The GeoSDM Dataset

We introduce GeoSDM, a new dataset which geocodes the territories claimed by all 464 self-determination movements (SDMs) around the globe between 1945 and 2012. Recent years have seen significant advances in intra-state conflict research as a result of the introduction of geo-referenced data on ethnic settlement patterns; however, as we show, the territorial claims made by separatist groups may or may not coincide with their ethnic settlement areas. GeoSDM enables new insights on the causes of territorial claims made by self-determination movements (SDMs) and the geographical determinants of conflict dynamics. In the article, we describe the coding procedure, present descriptive statistics, and, in a first application, examine the relationship between the economic value of disputed territory and the likelihood of governments making concessions to SDMs. Contrary to existing theorizing, we find no evidence to suggest that governments are particularly unlikely to accommodate SDMs which claim more economically valuable territories.