The United Nations in International History

Description

The United Nations in International History argues for a new way of examining the history of this central global institution by integrating more traditional diplomacy between states with new trends in transnational and cultural history to explore the organization and its role in 20th- and 21st-century history. Amy Sayward looks at the origins of the U.N. before examining a range of organizations and players in the United Nations system and analysing its international work in the key arenas of diplomacy, social & economic development programs, peace-keeping, and human rights. This volume provides a concise introduction to the broad array of international work done by the United Nations, synthesizes the existing interdisciplinary literature, and highlights areas in need of further research, making it ideal for students and beginning researchers. Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Figures Series Editor’s Preface Preface and Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Chapter 1 Introduction: An Invitation Chapter 2 The National and International Origins of the United Nations A review of the literature and a case study on nutritional science and organization The early development of internationalism and international organizations The Treaty of Versailles creates the League of Nations system The operation of the League of Nations system Conclusion: The wartime transition from the League to the United Nations Chapter 3 The Cold War Borderland The stakeholders Test-driving the new United Nations A changing of the guard: Eisenhower, Khrushchev, Hammarskjöld, and decolonization The Third World’s agenda for the United Nations, 1963–80 Changing dynamics in the United Nations, 1980–2000 The pivot to security after 9/11 Chapter 4 Preventing War and Promoting Peace through Social and Economic Programs Wartime relief efforts Oversight of the U.N. specialized agencies ECOSOC functional commissions ECOSOC’s regional economic commissions A case study of ECOSOC coordination and management: Population Chapter 5 The Development Enterprise Introduction to development The eras and philosophies of development The 1980s and 1990s: The debt crises, the Washington Consensus, and the backlash Conclusion: The Millennium Development Goals, 2000–15 Chapter 6 Making and Keeping the Peace: U.N. Peacekeeping and Refugee Assistance Operations Dealing with Europe’s displaced persons (DPs): From UNRRA and theIRO to the UNHCR, 1943–55 Peacekeeping’s first major test: The United Nations and theKorean War, 1950–53 The High Commissioner develops his office’s autonomy in the 1950s Peacekeeping in the shadow of decolonization: The United Nationsand the Republic of the Congo, 1960–64 New refugee challenges in the developing world, 1960s–1970s New refugee challenges in the 1970s and 1980s The end of the Cold War and the rise and decline of “peace-building”activities Post–Cold War realities for the world’s refugees: Repatriationand another asylum crisis Chapter 7 The Middle East and the United Nations The United Nations’ failed Palestinian partition plan and its aftermath The U.N. role during the Suez Crisis U.N. peacekeeping efforts, 1956–67 The U.N. role in the June 1967 war (Six-Day War) and its aftermath The PLO bursts onto the international stage The Yom Kippur War of 1973 U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, 1978–2000 The Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, December 1978 The Iran-Iraq War, 1980–88 The intifada, 1987–92 The First Persian Gulf War The prospect of Palestinian statehood: The Madrid peace process (1991) and the Oslo Agreement (1993) The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon since 2000 Conclusion Chapter 8 Defining Human Rights, International Justice, and Genocide Historiography Defining human rights in the new United Nations Efforts to end human rights abuses Conclusion Chapter 9 Conclusion: Join the Conversation! Guide to Further Research Notes Index