This textbook on the United Nations presents primary materials with expert commentary and demonstrates the interaction between law and practice in the UN organization. The materials also demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of multilateral institutions more generally and thus can be used for courses on the United Nations or International Organizations, taught in both Law and International Relations programs.
The book's emphasis on primary materials serves two purposes. First, such materials enable a realistic presentation of the work of international diplomacy as the negotiation and interpretation of such texts is an important part of what actually takes place at the United Nations and other international organizations. Secondly, it is hoped that students will develop the ability to read these texts critically, parsing not only the meaning but the politics behind such documents. Importantly, this second aim includes understanding the different types of material presented in this volume, each of which must be read differently: treaties and resolutions based on political compromises, judicial opinions that are based on legal reasoning, policy documents intended to justify specific actions, advocacy intended to pursue a national or other interest, and so on.
Each chapter begins with a short introductory essay by the authors. This describes how the documents that follow illustrate a set of legal, institutional, and political issues relevant to the practice of diplomacy and the development of public international law through the United Nations. Each chapter includes questions that may guide discussion of the primary materials and further readings for additional secondary sources.
The book covers the most important aspects of the work of the United Nations - peace and security, development, human rights - but also approaches the questions of global governance thematically, looking at issues of relevance, effectiveness, and accountability.
Contents
Part I: Relevance
Chapter 1: The UN Charter
Chapter 2: Hard Cases
Part II: Capacity
Chapter 3: Legal Status
Chapter 4: The Secretary-General and the Secretariat
Chapter 5: Membership
Chapter 6: Financing
Part III: Practice
Chapter 7: Conflict Prevention
Chapter 8: Peace Operations
Chapter 9: Peacebuilding
Chapter 10: Sanctions
Chapter 11: Development
Chapter 12: Self-Determination
Chapter 13: Human Rights
Chapter 14: Humanitarian Assistance
Part IV: Accountability
Chapter 15: Immunity and Responsibility
Chapter 16: Accountability in Practice
Chapter 17: Reform
Appendix
Charter of the United Nations
Statute of the International Court of Justice
The book's emphasis on primary materials serves two purposes. First, such materials enable a realistic presentation of the work of international diplomacy as the negotiation and interpretation of such texts is an important part of what actually takes place at the United Nations and other international organizations. Secondly, it is hoped that students will develop the ability to read these texts critically, parsing not only the meaning but the politics behind such documents. Importantly, this second aim includes understanding the different types of material presented in this volume, each of which must be read differently: treaties and resolutions based on political compromises, judicial opinions that are based on legal reasoning, policy documents intended to justify specific actions, advocacy intended to pursue a national or other interest, and so on.
Each chapter begins with a short introductory essay by the authors. This describes how the documents that follow illustrate a set of legal, institutional, and political issues relevant to the practice of diplomacy and the development of public international law through the United Nations. Each chapter includes questions that may guide discussion of the primary materials and further readings for additional secondary sources.
The book covers the most important aspects of the work of the United Nations - peace and security, development, human rights - but also approaches the questions of global governance thematically, looking at issues of relevance, effectiveness, and accountability.
Contents
Part I: Relevance
Chapter 1: The UN Charter
Chapter 2: Hard Cases
Part II: Capacity
Chapter 3: Legal Status
Chapter 4: The Secretary-General and the Secretariat
Chapter 5: Membership
Chapter 6: Financing
Part III: Practice
Chapter 7: Conflict Prevention
Chapter 8: Peace Operations
Chapter 9: Peacebuilding
Chapter 10: Sanctions
Chapter 11: Development
Chapter 12: Self-Determination
Chapter 13: Human Rights
Chapter 14: Humanitarian Assistance
Part IV: Accountability
Chapter 15: Immunity and Responsibility
Chapter 16: Accountability in Practice
Chapter 17: Reform
Appendix
Charter of the United Nations
Statute of the International Court of Justice
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