The United Nations in the 21st Century

This popular text for courses on international organizations and international relations provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the United Nations, exploring the historical, institutional, and theoretical foundations of the UN as well as the political processes and issues facing the organization today. Thoroughly revised throughout, the fourth edition focuses on major events since 2006, including the influence of emerging powers such as China, India, and Brazil, the crisis in UN peacekeeping, and the continuing decline of the UN's relevance in international economic relations. This edition also includes a new chapter on the future of the United Nations, as well as new case studies on peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo, human trafficking, and the challenges of state building for human security in Haiti. Helpful student resources include the Charter of the United Nations, a list of acronyms, discussion questions, suggested resources for additional research and reading, and a glossary.

This popular text for courses on international organizations and international relations provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the United Nations, exploring the historical, institutional, and theoretical foundations of the UN as well as the political processes and issues facing the organization today. Thoroughly revised throughout, the fourth edition focuses on major events since 2006, including the influence of emerging powers such as China, India, and Brazil, the crisis in UN peacekeeping, and the continuing decline of the UN's relevance in international economic relations. This edition also includes a new chapter on the future of the united Nations, as well as new case studies on peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo, human trafficking, and the challenges of state building of human security in Haiti. Karen A. Mingst is Lockwood Chair Professor, Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce and Department of Political Science, University of Kentuckly. Margaret P. Karns is Professor Emerita of Political Science, University of Dayton.

List of Illustrations	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
List of Acronyms	p. xiii
The United Nations in World Politics	p. 1
The United Nations in World Politics: Vision and Reality	p. 2
Contending International Relations Theories	p. 9
Dilemmas the UN Faces in the 21st Century	p. 11
Conclusion	p. 16
The Evolution of the United Nations System	p. 19
The League of Nations	p. 21
The Origins of the United Nations	p. 22
The Organization of the United Nations	p. 23
Persistent Organizational Problems and the Challenges of Reform	p. 49
Conclusion	p. 60
Actors in the United Nations System	p. 63
The Role of States	p. 64
Coalitions, Blocs, and the Importance of Consensus	p. 80
The Secretary-General and the UN Secretariat as Key Actors	p. 83
Nonstate Actors: The Third UN	p. 89
Conclusion	p. 94
Maintaining International Peace and Security	p. 97
Linking International Relations Theories	p. 98
Maintaining Peace and Security: The UN Charter and Its Evolution	p. 100
Mechanisms for Peaceful Settlement and Preventive Diplomacy	p. 102
Collective Security, Enforcement, and Sanctions	p. 104
Peacekeeping	p. 113
Humanitarian Intervention-R2P-Providing Human Security	p. 133
Arms Control and Disarmament	p. 142
Coping with Terrorism	p. 146
Future Challenges for the UN's Role in Peace and Security	p. 150
Conclusion	p. 154
Economic Development and Sustainability	p. 159
The Organization of the UN System for Promoting Economic Development	p. 160
The UN and Evolving Ideas About Development	p. 176
The UN and Other Actors	p. 187
Lessons Learned	p. 190
The Persistent Dilemmas	p. 192
Human Rights	p. 197
From the League of Nations to the United Nations	p. 198
UN Charter Principles and Organizational Structures	p. 199
The Role of the UN in Human Rights	p. 206
The Role of Nongovernmental Organizations	p. 218
Case Studies of the UN System in Action	p. 221
Evaluating the UN's Human Rights Record	p. 240
Human Security: The Environment and Health	p. 247
An Expanded View of Security	p. 248
Protection of the Environment	p. 249
Health and Human Security	p. 264
Statebuilding for Human Security: The Case of Haiti	p. 270
Dilemmas in Human Security	p. 275
Is There a Future for the United Nations?	p. 281
Does the UN Make a Difference?	p. 281
Lessons About What the UN Cannot Do	p. 286
Factors in UN Success and Failure	p. 288
Can the UN Be Reformed?	p. 289
Linking the UN to Global Governance	p. 290
Appendix: Charter of the United Nations	p. 293
Suggested Sources for Additional Research	p. 309
Glossary	p. 319
Index	p. 323
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The United Nations in the 21st Century

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