Publisher's Synopsis
Since the end of the Cold War, the United Nations has been more and more frequently in the public eye as it attempts to deal with dramatic changes in the world's political arena. In this book the authors trace the development of the UN, from its historical foundations to its expanding role in the post-Cold War world. It covers the structure and function of the UN, how it operates and its relationships with other institutions.;Drawing on insights from their practical experience as well as academic experience with the UN, the authors show how the organization has influenced three key areas - security, human rights and sustainable development, and they make recommendations for improved UN performance in the future.