The United Nations

Founded in 1945 with the goal of achieving world peace, the United Nations has since exerted a powerful but controversial influence over international politics. For some, it's an essential inter-governmental forum that balances powerful competing interests; for others, it's an ineffective talking shop whose resolutions carry no real weight.

Examining the UN's structure, remit, and key personalities, as well as its major resolutions and peacekeeping record, this wide-ranging introduction provides a passionate defence of the organisation from common accusations of bureaucratic paralysis and bias towards the developed world. Covering its origins, development, and role today, MacQueen highlights the UN's vital importance to international relations and security, and explores the profound challenges it will face in the future.