United Nations in the Contemporary World [Paperback]

Fifty years after the creation of the United Nations, there exists a vigorous debate as to its limitations and possibilities. In United Nations in the Contemporary World, David J. Whittaker examines how the UN works and assesses its position as a world organisation.
The author explores the nature of the UN as a regimein contemporary international relations. He considers the changing terms of reference of the UN and includes discussion of:
* UN organisational procedures and principles;
* recent historical case studies, including studies on peacekeeping
* the role of the UN in global urbanisation, arms control and in supplying aid for refugees
* past and future internal reform, goals, achievements
With an annotated bibliography and a helpful glossary United Nations in the Contemporary Worldprovides an interdisciplinary history of the UN and debates the key issues for its future. David J Whittaker gives a cogent analysis of how the UN addresses today's world problems and how it can adapt for the future.Part I: Infrastructural Change  1. The Ideas and Structures of 1945  2. Changing UN Ideas and Approaches  3. Sovereign States as UN Members  Part II. The UN in a Changing International Environment  4. Peacekeeping  5. Arms Control and Disarmament  6. The UN and the Developing World  7. The UN and an Urbanizing World  8. Helping Refugees  Part III: Facing the Future  9. Selective Tally of Suggested Reforms Outlining Problems, Listing Recommendations and Noting Reservations  10. The UN Shapes the Future: An Evaluation