The United Nations: A Short Political Guide

In this beginner's guide to the United Nations, the author not only sets out the purposes and structure of the organization but discusses the UN's role in keeping world peace, disarmament, decolonization and human rights. Bailey also discusses popular views of the UN asking whether it is really needed, how much power it really has and whether it is just a haven for diplomats drawing top salaries, or a nest of spies. Six contemporary criticisms of the UN are examined and the author concludes that, in spite of the UN's faults, the world does need the United Nations - but a better one than we have now. The author was formerly a member of the Foreign Office advisory committees on UN and Disarmament. Sydney D.Bailey is also editor of "Human Rights and Responsibilities in Britain and Ireland", "Aspects of American Government", "The British Party System", "Problems of Parliamentary Government in Colonies", "Parliamentary Government in the Commonwealth" and "The Future of the House of Lords".