Multilateralism under Challenge?: Power, International Order, and Structural Change - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9280811290 ISBN 13: 9789280811292

Publisher: United Nations University Press, 2007

Synopsis

The principles, values, and manifestations of multilateralism, including the United Nations, are under sustained scrutiny and assault. Their performance and effectiveness are questioned, as are their decisionmaking procedures and their representation, according to 21st-century standards of accountability and democracy. All of this has a corrosive effect on their legitimacy. Multilateralism under Challenge? explores the performance and future of multilateral approaches and institutions with reference to major global problems such as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, economic justice, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. "Multilateralism is an essential component of international life, as the contributions to this volume clearly demonstrate. We need to make multilateralism more effective and more accountable, to be sure. This book advances constructive ideas on how to do just that." —John G. Ruggie, Harvard University

About this title

About the Author:

Edward Newman is the director of studies on conflict and security in the Peace and Governance Program of the United Nations University. Ramesh Thakur is professor of international relations in the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, Australian National University. He previously served as senior vice-rector of the United Nations University and assistant secretary general of the United Nations. John Tirman is the executive director of the Center for International Studies at MIT.

Review:

manifestations of multilateralism, including the United Nations, are under sustained
scrutiny and assault. Their performance and effectiveness are questioned, as are their
decisionmaking procedures and their representation, according to 21st-century standards of
accountability and democracy. All of this has a corrosive effect on their legitimacy.
Multilateralism under Challenge? explores the performance and future of multilateral
approaches and institutions with reference to major global problems such as terrorism,
weapons of mass destruction, HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, economic justice, human
rights, and humanitarian assistance. "Multilateralism is an essential component of
international life, as the contributions to this volume clearly demonstrate. We need to make
multilateralism more effective and more accountable, to be sure. This book advances
constructive ideas on how to do just that." -John G. Ruggie, Harvard
University

About this edition

• Publisher: United Nations University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 9280811290
• ISBN 13: 9789280811292
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 680
• Editor: Newman Edward, Thakur Ramesh, Tirman John