Replication Data for: Stereotypes and Status Gains in IOs

Why are some states so capable of gaining prestige while others struggle so much to be recognized? Existing research often links status attribution to states' material capabilities, sports achievements, and diplomatic recognition. However, the mechanisms of status-seeking and attribution within IOs remain underexplored. I argue that IOs create an ecosystem where states' stereotypical ascribed status simultaneously enables and constrains their marginal status gains. While baseline status is necessary for achieving marginal gains, being at the top of the hierarchy reduces the likelihood of receiving further recognition. Using relational data on co-sponsorship obtained from UN draft resolutions, my findings suggest that (contrary to expectations) Middle Powers—rather than Great Powers—are more likely to gain prestige because they are easily recognized and do not carry the stigma of playing power politics. At the same time, small countries face resource constraints in garnering status and tend to emphasize group identities over individual ones. These systemic conditions reinforce themselves and are path-dependent; states that are viewed as prestigious tend to garner even more status, thereby limiting other states' chances of achieving similar recognition.