The Oxford Handbook on the United Nations - Hardcover

The Oxford Handbook on the United Nations provides the essential overview of the UN under its Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. Timely and authoritative, the book provides a well-judged balance of analysis, critique, and prescription at a crucial time for the world organization. (Mary Robinson, President, Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)

This Handbook is extraordinarily ambitious and very timely, providing the most comprehensive assessment available anywhere of the UN's performance in an increasingly challenging global environment, and featuring an outstanding cast of authors. It will be an indispensable reference guide for scholars and practitioners alike. (John G. Ruggie, Harvard University, Former UN Assistant Secretary-General)

'Given the constant pressure of events within the United Nations, and rapid developments in all the fields that it touches, it is very useful to have a study that stands back and reflects on the challenges for the United Nations as the new Secretary-General takes office. The Oxford Handbook on the United Nations is clearly a scholarly and important work. The editors of this volume have sought contributors of the highest quality to comment on the track record of the Organisation and to make recommendations for the future. The Handbook will surely be of interest to all those who know - or think that they know - the United Nations.' (Judge Rosalyn Higgins, President of the International Court of Justice)

An authoritative, one-volume treatment of sixty years of history of the United Nations written by distinguished scholars, analysts, and practitioners. Citations and suggested readings contain a wealth of primary and secondary references to the history, politics, and law of the world organization. Between two covers, there is a clear and penetrating examination of the UN's development since 1945 and the challenges that it faces in the twenty-first century. This key reference work also contains appendices of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Stature of the International Court of Justice. This volume is intended to shape the discipline of UN studies, and to establish itself as the essential point of reference for all those working on, in, or around the world organization. It is substantial in scope, containing contributions from over 40 leading scholars and practitioners - writing sometimes controversially, but always authoritatively - on the key topics and debates that define the institution.