United Nations in the contemporary world /
David J. Whittaker.
- xi, 131 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.
- The making of the contemporary world .
- The making of the contemporary world. .
Includes bibliographical references (pages 123-126) and index.
Infrastructural change -- The ideas and structures of 1945 -- Changing UN ideas and approaches -- Sovereign states as UN members -- The UN in a changing international environment -- Peacekeeping -- Arms control and disarmament -- The UN and the developing world -- The UN and an urbanizing world -- Helping refugees -- Facing the future -- Selective tally of suggested reforms outlining problems, listing recommendations and noting reservations -- The UN shapes the future: an evaluation. Part I. 1. 2. 3. Part II. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Part III. 9. 10.
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.