The United Nations, Peace and Security: From Collective Security to the Responsibility to Protect

by Ramesh Thakur

• ISBN13: 9780521855174
• ISBN10: 0521855179
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780511217876
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-06-19
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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Summary

Preventing humanitarian atrocities is becoming as important for the United Nations as dealing with inter-state war. In this book, Ramesh Thakur examines the transformation in UN operations, analysing its changing role and structure. He asks why, when and how force may be used and argues that the growing gulf between legality and legitimacy is evidence of an eroded sense of international community. He considers the tension between the US, with its capacity to use force and project power, and the UN, as the centre of the international law enforcement system. He asserts the central importance of the rule of law and of a rules-based order focused on the UN as the foundation of a civilised system of international relations. This book will be of interest to students of the UN and international organisations in politics, law and international relations departments, as well as policymakers in the UN and other NGOs.

Author Biography

Ramesh Thakur is Senior Vice Rector at the United Nations University, and an Assistant Secretary-General for the United Nations

Table of Contents

Foreword Gareth Evans

Introduction

Part I. An International Organisation For Keeping the Peace: 1. Pacific settlement, collective security and international peacekeeping

2. Peace operations and the UN-US relationship

Part II. Soft Security Perspectives: 3. Human security

4. Human rights: civil society and the United Nations

5. International criminal justice

6. International sanctions

Part III. Hard Security Issues: 7. The nuclear threat

8. International terrorism

9. Kosovo 1999

10. Iraq's challenge to world order

11. The responsibility to protect

12. Developing countries and the eroding nonintervention norm

Part IV. Institutional Developments: 13. Reforming the United Nations

14. The political role of the United Nations Secretary-General

Conclusion: At the crossroads of ideals and reality.