1. The United Nations in World Politics. The United Nations in World Politics: Vision and Reality. Dilemmas in the Post-Cold War Era -- 2. Historical Evolution of the United Nations. Nineteenth-Century Roots of Contemporary International Organizations. The League of Nations. The Origins of the United Nations. The Organization of the United Nations. Persistent Organizational Problems -- 3. Actors in the United Nations System. The United Nations as a League of States. Coalitions, Blocs, and the Importance of Consensus. Nongovernmental Organizations in the UN System. The Secretary-General as an Actor in World Politics -- 4. Peace and Security. Maintaining Peace and Security: The UN Charter. UN Approaches to Managing Peace and Security. Problems of UN Involvement in Peacekeeping and Enforcement Action. Arms Control and Disarmament. Future Challenges for the UN's Role in Peace and Security -- 5. Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability.

The Evolution of Development Thinking. The Evolution of the UN System and Development-Related Activities. Policy Debates and Issues in Promoting Sustainable Development -- 6. Human Rights. The Role of the UN in Human Rights. The Role of Nongovernmental Organizations. The Anti-Apartheid Campaign. Women's Rights as Human Rights. Indigenous Peoples: The Frontiers of International Human Rights. The Record of the UN in Human Rights. Human Rights and the Dilemmas -- 7. The Future of the United Nations. Actors Promoting UN Reform. Key Reform Issues. The Need for Fundamental Political Change -- App. Charter of the United Nations.