Adapting the United Nations to a Post-Modern Era: Lessons Learned

by W. Knight

Overview

This volume addresses the central theme of adjusting the United Nations system in light of, firstly, the broadening definition of security, secondly, a perceived shift from modernity to post-modernity; and finally, the contemporary debate about reform, adaptation and institutional learning in multilateral institutions during transnational periods. The UN has not been successful in learning appropriate lessons that could facilitate requisite changes to its structure and operations. Thus the authors in this study focus on the lessons learned from the organizations' recent performance in collective security, preventative diplomacy, preventative deployment, peacekeeping, peacemaking, peace maintenance, and international legal, environmental and trade regulation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781403917157
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	03/29/2001
Series:	Global Issues
Edition description:	2nd ed. 2001
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

CHRISTOPHER ANKERSEN Security and Defence Forum Fellow, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, USA DAVID BLACK Associate Professor of Political Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada DOUGLAS LEE DONOHO Professor of Law, Shepard Broad Law Center, Nova Southeastern University, Florida JARAT CHOPRA Director, International Relations Programme, Brown University, Rhode Island, USA ROGER A. COATE Professor of International Relations, University of South Carolina, USA KASSU GEBREMARIAM Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University, USA AMBASSADOR JULIAN HARSTON Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina TOM KEATING Professor of Political Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada GEOFFREY MARTIN Lecturer, St Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia JOSEPH MASCIULLI Assistant Professor of Political Science, St Thomas University, Canada ANDREI I. MAXIMENKO Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina SORPONG PEOU Associate Professor of Political Science, Sophia University, Tokyo MICHAEL G. SCHECHTER Professor of International Relations, James Madison College, Michigan State University CATHERINE TINKER Lawyer, New York City ABIODUN WILLIAMS Special Assistant to the Representative of the UN Secretary General in Haiti

Table of Contents

List of Acronyms Acknowledgements Preface Foreword; J.Krasno PART I: CONCEPTUALIZING CHANGE IN THE UN Introduction: Adapting the United Nations; W.A. Knight Requirements of Multilateral Governance for Promoting Human Security in a Postmodern Era; R.A.Coate, W.A.Knight & A.I.Maximenko Learning in the UN: W.A.Knight PART II: ADAPTATIONS OF UN PRIMARY CONCEPTS AND INSTRUMENTS Collective Security: Changing Conceptions and Institutional Adaptation; E.M.Smith Possibilities for Preventative Diplomacy, Early Warning and Global Monitoring in the Post Cold War Era, or the Limits to Global Structural Change; M.G.Schechter The UN and Preventative Deployment in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; A.Williams Intervention and Peace-building in Somalia: Constraints and Possibilities; W.A.Knight & K.Gebemariam International Criminal Law Enforcement; J.Chopra PART III: CASES UN Fact-finding in a Postmodern World: Potential for Arms Limitations and Confidence Building; A.A.Latham Disarming Iraq? United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission and the Future of Multilateralism; C.Ankersen The Civilian Police Element in UN Peacekeeping: The Case of Haiti; J.Harston The Neutralization of Protracted Conflicts: The Case of UNTAC; S.Peou Pivots of Peace: UN Transnational Operations; D.R.Black The UN and NATO's War: the Fallout from Kosovo; T.Keating Improving the Capacity of the UN Human Rights System; D.L.Donoho Environmental Security: Finding the Balance; C.Tinker Changing the Global Trade Structure: from 'Harmonization' to a new 'Interface Principle'; G.R.Martin Rethinking Instead of Tinkering: an Ethical Consensus and General Lessons; W.A.Knight & J.Masciulli Index

Editorial Reviews

'[A] well-balanced and informed collection of essays on the work and institutional structure of the United Nations. The book is well organized, with a theoretical component exploring institutional change based on the experience of the United Nations in more than five decades since its founding. many of those contributing to the study have been part of the work of the United Nations...[This] combination of insights and theoretical framework provides a thoughtful and important analysis for both the academic and the practitioner.' - Charlotte Ku, Executive Director of the American Society of International Law

'...a valuable source of critique, ideas and recommendations for change in the United Nations system...Its practical focus on the lessons that should be learned from recent United Nations activities makes it required reading for those involved or interested in the organization.' - Linda Reif, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta

From the Publisher

Sixteen essays consider the UN's difficulties adapting to "post- modern" international relations and recommend multilateral changes designed to preserve or enhance its role as a relevant governance body. Drawing from theory and looking at particular cases, the essays discuss security, diplomacy, law enforcement, arms limitations, neutralization, transitional operations, human rights, environmental protection, and global trade. The UN's experiences in Macedonia, Somalia, Iraq, Haiti, and Kosovo are specifically considered. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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