This book provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the United Nations, exploring the historical, institutional, and theoretical foundations of the UN. This popular text for courses on international organizations and international relations also discusses the political complexities facing the organization today.

List of Illustrations Preface List of Acronyms 1 The United Nations in World Politics The United Nations in World Politics: Vision and Reality Contending International Relations Theories Dilemmas the UN Faces in the Twenty-First Century Structure of the Book 2 The Evolution of the United Nations System The League of Nations The Origins of the United Nations The Organization of the United Nations Persistent Organizational Problems and the Challenges of Reform 3 Actors in the United Nations System The Role of States Coalitions, Blocs, and the Importance of Consensus The Secretary-General and the UN Secretariat as Key Actors Nonstate Actors: The Third UN 4 Maintaining International Peace and Security Linking International Relations Theories Maintaining Peace and Security: The UN Charter and Its Evolution Mechanisms for Peaceful Settlement and Preventive Diplomacy Collective Security, Enforcement, and Sanctions Peace Operations: Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Humanitarian Intervention (R2P and POC): Providing Human Security Arms Control and Disarmament Coping with Terrorism Future Challenges for the UN's Role in Peace and Security 5 Economic Development and Sustainability The Organization of the UN System for Promoting Economic Development The UN and Evolving Ideas About Development The UN and Other Actors Lessons Learned The Persistent Dilemmas 6 Human Rights From the League of Nations to the United Nations UN Charter Principles and Organizational Structures The Role of the UN in Human Rights The Role of Nongovernmental Organizations Case Studies of the UN System in Action Evaluating the UN's Human Rights Record 7 Human Security: The Environment, Health, and Migration An Expanded View of Security Protection of the Environment Health and Human Security Human Security: The Refugee and Migration Crisis Dilemmas in Human Security 8 Is There a Future for the United Nations? Does the UN Make a Difference? Lessons About What the UN Cannot Do Factors in UN Success and Failure Can the UN Be Reformed? Linking the UN to Global Governance Appendix: Charter of the United Nations (Selected Sections) Glossary Index

Praise for Prior Editions "The authors present a solid case that unless the UN reforms to meet 'the demands for governance and the challenges of diminished sovereignty...' it will become increasingly irrelevant... [The book] provides ample information on the dynamics of the 21st century world politics that have shaped the role of the UN." --International Journal on World Peace "This text presents a comprehensive study of the prospects and challenges for the United Nations in the twenty-first century. It is essential reading for anyone interested in international organization and global politics. The accessible and engaging writing makes it ideal for classroom use." --Meena Bose, Hofstra University "...The United Nations in the 21st Century provides a thorough and accessible overview of the world's preeminent international organization. It is updated to include the most recent global challenges, from terrorism to piracy to global warming, and to reflect the importance of new players on the international scene. Mingst and Karns provide historical background and a detailed description of the UN system's many institutions and actors. I have used earlier editions for my undergraduate courses and am eager to adopt this new-and-improved version." --Alexander Thompson, Ohio State University