United Nations in the Contemporary World

by Whittaker,David J.

• ISBN13: 9780415153171
• ISBN10: 0415153174
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1997-10-15
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Fifty years after the creation of the UN, vigorous debate continues as to its limitations and possibilities. David J. Whittaker offers a concise critical analysis of the UN as a world organization and considers how it works and what reforms are desirable and feasible. Exploring the nature of the UN as a regime in contemporary international relations, Whittaker considers its changing terms of reference and includes a series of case studies to illustrate its multifaceted activities--peacekeeping, arms control, aid for refugees--and the complex issues associated with developing nations and global urbanization.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii	(2)
Abbreviations	ix	(3)
Frontispiece	xii
Part I Infrastructural change	3	(42)
1 The ideas and structures of 1945	3	(11)
2 Changing UN ideas and approaches	14	(14)
3 Sovereign states as UN members	28	(17)
Part II The UN in a changing international environment	45	(58)
4 Peacekeeping	45	(12)
5 Arms control and disarmament	57	(11)
6 The UN and the developing world	68	(12)
7 The UN and an urbanising world	80	(9)
8 Helping refugees	89	(14)
Part III Facing the future	103	(20)
9 Prospects for UN internal reform	103	(13)
10 The UN shapes the future: an evaluation	116	(7)
Guide to further reading	123	(4)
Index	127