The United Nations in the Post-Cold War Era (Dilemmas in World Politics)

by KarenA.Mingst (Author), Margaret P . Karns (Author), KarenA.Mingst (Author), Margaret P . Karns (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1995

  $5.58

  The United Nations faces unprecedented opportunities as well as heightened expectations in the wake of the Cold War. With as yet unmet challenges throughout the world, the limits to UN power and effectiveness are being realized. The authors explore the key dilemmas facing the UN in the context of the organizations historical evolution, including its experience with peacekeeping, peacemaking, and development sustainability. They also consider the role of various actors in the UN system and the need for institutional reforms. This new text places the UN at the center of the entirely new set of issues now emerging in world politics. }The United Nations faces unprecedented opportunities as well as heightened expectations in the wake of the Cold War. With as yet unmet challenges throughout the world, the limits to UN power and effectiveness are being realized.From regional conflicts to areas of environmental degradation, the UNs success will depend on the way in which three dilemmas are resolvedthe tensions between sovereignty and the reality of its erosion, between demands for global governance and the weakness of UN institutions (as well as the reluctance of states to commit), and between the need for leadership and the diffusion of power. The authors explore these dilemmas in the context of the UNs historical evolution, including its experience with peacekeeping, peacemaking, and environmentally sustainabledevelopment. They also consider the role of various actors in the UN system, from major powers (especially the United States), small and middle powers, coalitions, and nongovernmental organizations, to the six secretaries-general. The need for institutional reforms and specific proposals for reform are examined.Because multilateral diplomacy is now the norm rather than the exception in world politics, the UN is more central than ever. This new text places the UN at the center of the entirely new set of dilemmas now emerging in world politics. }

• Used

  Paperback
  1999

  $21.10

  A thoroughly updated, fresh look at the role of the United Nations in world politics, with particular attention to the evolving post-Cold War era, its challenges, and its dilemmas.. The unfolding post-Cold War era has posed a host of challenges for the United Nations. The dilemmas of sovereignty, rising governance demands, and scarce leadership have grown sharper. This new edition of a popular book succeeds in providing a wealth of information and analysis in an efficient, readable, and insightful format. Case studies probing the politics and processes of UN action in the campaign against apartheid, Iraqi arms inspection, and the Earth Summit are among its distinctive features. The United Nations faced unprecedented opportunities and heightened expectations when the Cold War ended in 1998-90. But by the time of its fiftieth anniversary in 1995, the mood had shifted. Peacekeepers were bogged down in Bosnia and Somalia. Iraq continued to test the UNs resolve to enforce arms control inspections. In much of the world, the gap between the haves and the have-nots was increasing. The Earth Summit failed to halt environmental degradation. A new financial crisis loomed with the United States first among those owing money to the UN. Everyone agreed that reform was needed, yet the political will to effect change was absent.In this second edition of their popular book, The United Nations in the Post-Cold War Era , Karen Mingst and Margaret Karns have undertaken major revisions along with thorough updating. A new opening chapter provides an overview of the UNs evolving role in world politics, along with introducing three core dilemmas -- the tensions between sovereignty and its erosion, between demands for global governance and the weakness of UN institutions, and between the need for leadership and the diffusion of power. The authors explore these dilemmas in the context of the UNs experience in maintaining peace, promoting stability, environmental sustainability, and human rights.Mingst and Karns retain two distinctive features of the books first edition: the consideration of various actors roles in the UN system, from major powers to small states, coalitions, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); and a series of case studies probing the politics and processes of UN action. These include the women in development agenda, the campaign against apartheid, indigenous peoples, the Iraqi arms inspection regime, the convention banning land mines, and UN operations in Vietnam.