P. Baehr & L. Gordenker 
The United Nations 
Reality and Ideal

The United Nations: Reality and Ideal examines the structure, operation and history of the United Nations. It explains the historical roots of the UN system and its legal and organizational structures and sets out what the organization and its partners do in relation to major global events and issues. This revised and updated edition gives extended attention to peace-maintenance, human rights and economic and social development and examines the special position of the United States.

Table of Content

Preface Introduction Charter and Structure of the United Nations Membership and Decision-Making The Maintenance of Peace and Security Human Rights and Decolonization Cooperation for Economic and Social Progress The 21st Century Appendix: Charter of the United Nations Bibliography

About the author

PETER R. BAEHR is Honorary Professor of Human Rights at Utrecht University. He served as Director of the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) and the National School of Human Rights Research. He has been Professor of International Relations at the University of Amsterdam. His publications include
The Role of Human Rights in Foreign Policy and
Human Rights: Universality in Practice.

LEON GORDENKER is Professor Emeritus of Politics at Princeton University. He has observed the United Nations system from its beginning and has published studies of the UN Secretary-General and Secretariat. He has served in the UN Secretariat and consulted for UN organs. He has also taught in the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland and Uganda.