Library & Cultural Services: Politics: Data. Statistics

Portals & Repositories

Google Dataset Search is an easy to use site that covers millions of datasets across the social sciences, including Economics. Note that it includes subscription datasets as well as free ones. Check the library website to see if we have access to subscription datasets (ask me if unsure).

Our World in Data is much more selective, but a useful site for some topics, notably because it includes essays which provide context and background information about data for various research areas.

Other portals that can be useful:

DataPortals.org lists nearly 600 open data portals around the world

Gesis Data Search cross-searches portals and repositories for social science data

Harvard Dataverse well-known repository of datasets

ICPSR leading US-based data repository

Re3data global registry of research data repositories, all subject areas

Many countries have a national data archive (such as UK Data Archive in the UK), and a list of some major ones is provided here

General

Note: General data sources only. See the geographical and topical listings for specific data resources

Cross-National Time-Series Data Archive
The Cross-National Time-Series Data Archive (CNTS) was initiated by Arthur S. Banks in 1968 with the aim of assembling, in machine readable, longitudinal format, certain of the aggregate data resources of The Statesmans Yearbook.

Good Country Index
Newish project, brainchild of Simon Anholt, ranks countries by their contribution to the global good, taking into account their relative sizes. Also has an interesting Global Vote section, which enables individuals from any country to vote in the elections of other countries.
KOF Index of Globalization
Interesting attempt to quantify levels of globalisation among countries. Data from 1970 onwards.
OECD iLibrary
Political Data Yearbook Interactive (PDYi)
Polity Project - Political Regime Characteristics
Longstanding project from the Center for Systemic Peace offering extensive data on regime type & regime changes 1800-
The Polity project has a major advantage for relating changes in institutions to events since it provides dates for all changes, while many alternative data sources offer only annual data.
Regional Authority Index
measure of the authority of regional governments in 81 democracies or quasi-democracies on an annual basis over the period 1950-2010, with update for 45 countries to 2016
UK Data Service - Politics
UNdata
World Bank Data
World Economics and Politics Dataverse (WEP)
Collaborative project from Princeton and USC, WEP uses the IPE4.0 dataverse, which aggregates 90 datasets to provide over 1000 variables, covering more than 180 countries from 1816-2018.

Country Risk Data. Future Forecasts

The Library has no access to comprehensive data on political risk, most of which is high cost subscription data. However, information can be garnered from the following sources:

1. Political Risk Services (PRS) & Business Monitor International (BMI)

Considered pre-eminent in the field. Political Risk Yearbook country reports are available on library database Business Source Ultimate from 2009- onwards. Logon to BSU, click on publications (menu bar at top) and type in "political risk" to get a list A/Z by country. Note that the ICRG risk ratings are not included in these country reports, but they do contain a lot of helpful detail.

2. World Economic Forum Global Risks report

Freely available over the Web 2006- onwards

3. EMIS

Library database with PRS country risk reports (2015 onwards)

4. Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)

Well-known organisation, recent editions of its annual CPI dataset include country risk scores from PRS (ICRG), Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, and PERC Asia Risk Guide.

Forecasting

Some forecast economic & financial data is available from the Eikon (Datastream) library database, also from the IMF's World Economic Outlook series.

For long term forecasting take a look at the International Futures website and datasets, which cover a range of social, political & economic areas.

Governance

Bertelsmann Transformation Index
BTI is a project of the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Analyses the state of democracy and economy in over 119 nations from 2003 onwards to produce a global ranking. Also country reports that analyse the state of democracy, the political system, political management, rule of law and economic development and transition.
Centripetal Democratic Governance
Dataset of 42 variables measuring the degree to which governments centralise power. Also contains social and economic variables and measures of bureaucratic quality. Global coverage, 1960-2011
Democracy Audits & Governmental Indicators
APSA project to assess the current state of indicators and indexes for measuring democracy and government performance. Free access to lists and assessments of current indexes used, plus bibliographies of articles on their usage and accuracy. Topics include measures of democracy, human rights, corruption, press freedom, state fragility.
Fragile States Index
Compiled annually since 2005 by Fund for Peace.
Global Integrity
US based independent organisation. Assesses standards of governance and levels of corruption worldwide. The results are published in the Global Integrity Index and as detailed Country Reports - data can be downloaded (2004 onwards).
Government at a Glance (OECD)
Key data from 30 or so OECD countries relating to governance and public administration.
Institutional Profiles Database (CEPII)
Measures countries institutional characteristics through composite indicators built from perception data.

The 2016 edition covers 144 countries and contains 127 indicators, covering 9 areas:

1) political institutions;
2) security, law and order, control of violence;
3) functioning of public administrations;
4) free operation of markets;
5) coordination of stakeholders, strategic vision and innovation;
6) security of transactions and contracts;
7) market regulation, social dialogue;
8) openness;
9) social cohesion and social mobility.
Quality of Government Institute
Major & respected resource covering all areas of governance and beyond
Sustainable Governance Indicators
Project coordinated by Bertelsmann Institute covering about 40 EU & OECD countries. Data from 2009 covering economic, social & environmental performance, plus indicators of democracy and governance
Transparency International
Anti-corruption NGO with 90 national chapters around the world. It is committed to raising awareness about corruption, advocating reform & implementation of multilateral conventions, and monitoring compliance. Its website includes various surveys & indices, such as the Corruption Perceptions Index, and its major publication - the Global Corruption Report (from 2001).
Worldwide Governance Indicators