A Changing United Nations: Multilateral Evolution and the Quest for Global Governance

by W. Knight

Overview

The United Nations is at a critical juncture. It is faced with two distinct choices: to remain a 'decision frozen in time' or to develop a long-term adaptation agenda (and strategy) that would allow it to be a relevant institution of global governance for the twenty-first century. Reform and reflexive institutional adjustments have failed to address underlying problems facing this organization. After fifty-five years of existence it is still considered an inefficient and ineffective world body. Worse yet, its relevance is being questioned. This study offers a critique of existing UN change processes and then shifts focus to considerations of institutional learning strategies that would allow the UN to maintain relevance amidst the evolution of global governance arrangements.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333801512
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	10/19/2000
Series:	Global Issues
Edition description:	2000
Pages:	257
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.03(d)
Lexile:	1660L (what's this?)

About the Author

W. ANDY KNIGHT is Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and Vice Chair of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS). Among his recent books are Beyond the State: A Critical Re-evaluation of Canadian 'Foreign Policy', (with D.Black and C.Sjolander), United Nations and Arms Embargoes Verification and State, Society and the UN System: Changing Perspectives on Multilateralism.

Table of Contents

Dedication List of Tables and Figures Foreword Preface Acknowledgements List of Acronyms Introduction Rationalist and Reflectivist Approaches to Multilateralism and Governance Multilateral Evolution and UN Change Processes Developing Institutional Foundations: Learning in the UN The UN's Global Agenda and the Reflexive Adaptation Process The Managed Change Process at the UN Post-Cold War Multilateralism and the New UN Reform Agenda Subsidiarity and Global Governance Conclusions Appendices Notes Bibliography Indexes

Editorial Reviews

'Professor Andy Knight is an ideal guide to the most challenging area of international relations, the quest for global governance. As conflict within nations becomes far more prevalent than conflict among nations, the United Nations must deal with emerging ideas of peace-building and the imperative of constructing civil society from the aftermath of civil war. In an increasingly borderless world, the ability of the UN to cope with crises beyond its traditional mandate will be tested time and again. Professor Knight brings rigorous scholarship and clear thinking to identifying and describing the architecture of a new world order.' - Satya Das, author of Dispatches from a Borderless World

'Knight's book, at times very insightful and eloquent, makes a modest contribution in helping us confront this puzzle.' - American Political Science Review

'Knight argues his case carefully and lucidly.' - International Journal

'...a carefully measured proposal, contrasting it systematically with those that have come before...Practitioners and theorists alike will be well served to undertake a careful reading of Professor Knight's latest work.' - Dr Kendall Stiles, Associate Professor of Political Science, Loyola University Chicago

From the Publisher

Knight (international relations, U. of Alberta) finds that the United Nations is faced with remaining a decision frozen in time or developing a long-term adaptation agenda and strategy that would allow it to be a relevant institution of global governance for the 21st century. He critiques the body's existing change processes, then shifts focus to consider institutional learning strategies that would allow it to maintain relevance within the evolution of global governance arrangements. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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