In this fresh, thematic text, the authors bring the UN alive from its historical foundations to its expanding role in the post-Cold War arena. Students of all levels will learn what the UN is, how it operates, and what its relationships are with external actors and institutions. Using insights from their practical as well as academic experience with the UN, the authors show how the UN has influenced norms and operations in three keys areas - security, human rights, and sustainable development - and provide recommendations for improved UN performance in the future. Well-documented and illustrated, The United Nations and Changing World Politics is essential to a comprehensive and contemporary understanding of the world's leading intergovernmental organization.