The United Nations and Global Security [Paperback]

Richard M. Price (Editor), Mark W. Zacher (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2004 | ISBN-10: 1403963916 | ISBN-13: 978-1403963918 | Edition: First Edition

1-4039-6391-6

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This highly timely, first-rate volume provides a comprehensive, clear-eyed, and sober assessment of the past, present, and future roles of the United Nations in global security. The systematic analysis of what the UN has and has not been able to accomplish--and why--generates, for all students of the UN, a more realistic understanding of what we might reasonably expect of it in the future."--Michael Barnett, University of Wisconsin, Madison

"This collection of essays does justice to the complexities of the United Nations and the problématique of global security. The contributors are committed multilateralists who do not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of the world organization, warts and all. They remind us that while the UN clearly has not eliminated the scourge of war, it certainly has helped dampen violence, control arms, deliver aid to war victims, and prevent conflicts."--Thomas G. Weiss, Presidential Professor and Director, Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, The CUNY Graduate Center

"This very high-quality book offers much more than the sum of its parts. It challenges us to think clearly and critically about the various roles of the United Nations in reducing conflict and violence. It should be read by all concerned with the future of the United Nations."--David Malone, President, International Peace Academy

From the Inside Flap

"This highly timely, first-rate volume provides a comprehensive, clear-eyed, and sober assessment of the past, present, and future roles of the United Nations in global security. The systematic analysis of what the UN has and has not been able to accomplish--and why--generates, for all students of the UN, a more realistic understanding of what we might reasonably expect of it in the future."--Michael Barnett, University of Wisconsin, Madison

"This collection of essays does justice to the complexities of the United Nations and the problématique of global security. The contributors are committed multilateralists who do not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of the world organization, warts and all. They remind us that while the UN clearly has not eliminated the scourge of war, it certainly has helped dampen violence, control arms, deliver aid to war victims, and prevent conflicts."--Thomas G. Weiss, Presidential Professor and Director, Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, The CUNY Graduate Center

"This very high-quality book offers much more than the sum of its parts. It challenges us to think clearly and critically about the various roles of the United Nations in reducing conflict and violence. It should be read by all concerned with the future of the United Nations."--David Malone, President, International Peace Academy

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (March 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403963916
• ISBN-13: 978-1403963918
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,022,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Work on a Very Important World Issue, September 18, 2008

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Bomb Man58 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The United Nations and Global Security (Paperback)

Editors Richard Price and Mark Zacher have assembled a very comprehensive work on the United Nations as it faces the challenge of Global security. Chapters in the book have been authored by many respected writers on issues relating to global security.

Is the United Nations still an effective international actor and mediator on the world stage? The book examines topics such as arms control, conflict prevention and resolution, human security issues and also looking inwards-tackling institutional reform.

Setup in the aftermath of the Second World War by people with a vision of a better world and mindful of the shortcomings of its predecessor, the League of Nations; the United Nations has never had an easy journey through time. It has been called upon many times to intervene in conflicts and mediate settlements on behalf of the people of the world. In recent times, the world body has been joined by regional actors such as the European and African Unions in affairs.

The distinguished panel of writers in this book do not give the UN an easy time. They discuss the problems faced by the UN in conflict mediation, dealing with arms control issues such as nuclear and chemical weapons and tackling the world refugee issue. The dealing of persons charged with offences by the International Criminal Court is also very interesting. Is the UN Security Council still an effective mechanism for world peace? These respected writers discuss these issues highlighting the problems faced by the UN in attempting to act impartialy and fairly as the world's referee.

In summary, a very well researched and written book on the United Nations and issues of global security, with excellent source material for the serious researcher. I found this book to be a very reliable reference for many of my current studies and also suit the student of international security studies. I commend this book to both the serious and beginning researcher. However the book is now four years old and I would like to see the editors and authors return soon for a second edition. Well done, Richard Price, Mark Zacher and contributing authors!