ABSTRACT
Based on a UNDP/OUP study (Kaul et al. 1999), an international public good is one that provides universal benefits in terms of nations (it concerns more than a group of countries), population (several or, preferably, all populations) and generations (consequences for future generations of the production or non-production of the good). Peacekeeping is by excellence an international public good 1 since its output seeks to benefit nations in forms of peace and development. However, when analyzing public goods in terms of pure or impure public goods, unlike national defense or global peace, peacekeeping cannot be considered as a pure international public good because it creates joint products. And, even if peacekeeping did not generate any joint products, it would still be an impure public good because it is also the type of good that may require that the consumer incur some additional expenses in order to enjoy peace and the output of joint products. Furthermore, consumption of peacekeeping is an option available to countries in conflict, which have to consent to a deployment. Consumption of peacekeeping also depends on the members of the UN Security Council and can be based on some conditions dictated by these members.
