Fifty years after the creation of the United Nations, there exists a vigorous debate as to its limitations and possibilities. In United Nations in the Contemporary World, David J. Whittaker examines how the UN works and assesses its position as a world organisation.

The author explores the nature of the UN as a regime in contemporary international relations. He considers the changing terms of reference of the UN and includes discussion of:

* UN organisational procedures and principles;

* recent historical case studies, including studies on peacekeeping

* the role of the UN in global urbanisation, arms control and in supplying aid for refugees

* past and future internal reform, goals, achievements

With an annotated bibliography and a helpful glossary United Nations in the Contemporary World provides an interdisciplinary history of the UN and debates the key issues for its future. David J Whittaker gives a cogent analysis of how the UN addresses today's world problems and how it can adapt for the future.